Module 5: Red Queens and Increasing Returns

Red Queens and Increasing Returns

In this module, you viewed two videos featuring Dr. David Thornburg in which he discussed the forces of increasing returns and Red Queens. You also read about these forces in articles by Arthur and Thornburg. To prepare for this blog, you may also wish to view the web video from Chris Anderson, "Tech’s Long Tail," in this week's Optional Resources.

Reflecting on everything you learned in this module, respond to the following:

• When you decided to obtain a DVD for your science fiction assignment in Module 4, where did you go to find a movie based on a Philip K. Dick book? Did you rent or purchase a DVD, or did you view it digitally on your computer using Netflix or a similar vendor of video-on-demand?
• Is the current competition between DVDs and video-on-demand an example of increasing returns or Red Queens? Justify your response with sound reasoning and specific examples.
• Where do you think DVDs and video-on-demand are on the four criteria of McLuhan’s tetrad?

Be sure to link your work to other web resources, and create tags for your keywords so that others can locate your blog if they are interested in this topic.

I went to Xfinity On-Demand and located and viewed a movie based on a Philip K. Dick book. The competition between DVDs and video-on-demand is an example of increasing returns. Purchasing a DVD is more expensive than watching a video-on-demand. For the monies you’d spend purchasing one DVD, you can have access to unlimited movies through the on-demand feature. In this case, quantity is more seemingly the best option.  Additionally, it is more convenient. You do not have to leave the couch. On MuLuhan’s tetrad, DVDs are obsoletes and the on-demand feature is an enhance.