The red line is Susan Boyle and the blue is Obama.
Before the web existed, a dramatic increase in popularity like this wouldn't have been possible. Admittedly it was the medium of television that provided the tipping point. YouTube.com allowed users across the world to experience the phenomenon on demand rather than waiting for the 5 minute window at 7.30 pm GMT.
The salient fact here, however is not the technology: it is that an unknown person with something of value could reach so many. This principle will apply to business in the near future. A business offering incredible value will be able to engage with audiences on a similar scale. Currently 2% of businesses in our economy hold 80% of the capital. The internet was designed to level the playing field. Unfortunatly the internet is still very disorganised but the Susan Boyle phenomenon proves one thing: the common person/business with talent will soon rely less on the mass media for tremendous success. This would be a good thing for the global economy because financial resources would be spread diversely as opposed to sitting in the hands of a few that can afford to market to the masses.
