The Internet social climber takes down the biggest, most powerful media company on Earth. It's a victory not just for AOL but for the entire Internet industry. For consumers, it means the Net will become even more integrated with the real world, packed with tactile brands like Sports Illustrated, Budweiser and Barbie. It's the ultimate stamp of approval for entertainment online. My phone hasn't stopped ringing.
Entertainment is an industry of sheep.
It's a destabilizing event, and that's why I like it. Don't think for a minute that the disruption ends here. AOL Time Warner is one of those deals that makes every responsible CEO in every industry think hard about what's next. AOL was able to pull off this deal because Wall Street is valuing Internet-related stocks at levels traditional companies never could have contemplated. The reality seems topsy-turvy.