How APIs can really make us 'appy (or... turn around, dude)

Lets just take on "the industry".

And I'm not talking about the Telco 2.0 initiative, in spite of the fact that it certainly tries to take a step in moving telecommunications as an industry out of the dark ages. My concern is that Telco 2.0 does not go far enough to preserve the industry as a significant force in society (presuming of course that it is worth saving).

The subtitle of this perspective might possibly be: "this ain't a potlatch, dude!"

Potlatch: Within it, hierarchical relations within and between clans, villages, and nations, are observed and reinforced through the distribution or sometimes destruction of wealth, dance performances, and other ceremonies. The status of any given family is raised not by who has the most resources, but by who distributes the most resources. The hosts demonstrate their wealth and prominence through giving away goods.

My understanding of the Telco 2.0 initiative is that it describes a strategy that focuses on exposure and near-gift of the telco treasured resources to the Web applications domain, perhaps in an attempt to maintain relevance (or status in the collection of tribes). I'd contend that the Telco 2.0 Potlatch perspective is backwards.

I believe that the telecoms carriers should be focusing on interpersonal communications excellence: improving the impact of communications across distance. That should be the mission, the holy grail, the nirvana. Gifting assets in an attempt to achieve this goal might feel good, but I believe that taking rather than giving makes more sense. Telecoms carriers should be building applications that are focused on creating communications excellence (see the "C"'s), and they should be stealing (OK - using) capabilities exposed by the 100's of interpersonal web applicationsto do so. Don't give subscribers away to Facebook - use the Facebook APIs to incorporate the capabilities of Facebook to enhance a carrier communications experience (See Yellix). Steal from any social applications that can contribute value. Create communications value within the carrier, and use other company APIs to add value.

Take, don't give. Nobody expects the Telcos to be nice anyway.