So I think the fundementals and the recipes for web 2.0 is secured for a while ahead

Sure, they have some employees, but it isn’t a capital intensive operation, so I think they will easily be able to weather the storm.

I think Om should make it through relatively unscathed because he tends to cover deeper and wider issues in the space. He’s also got VC funding in the bank and with this being pretty much a variable business, I don’t see how he couldn’t stretch it into the next upswing.

You know I’ve been pretty vocal about my criticism of Arrington and TechCrunch right from the first e-mail message I sent you after TC40. From a business perspective, TC has done more damage to the Web 2.0 ecosystem than anybody else by glorifying Web 2.0 “companies” that I can only categorize as “no biz model, no utility, kid powered apps”.

By doing so, he encouraged other entrepreneurs to do the same, which led to a wasted generation of programming and brain power.

Arrington clearly did not learn much from Pets.com and other useless companies of the dot-bomb era. He got caught up in the hype of me-too apps that promised a gazillion page views and eyeballs — but failed to articulate how they would generate $1 of profit. Look no further than the carnage of his dead pool as evidence of TC’s reporting failures.

Web 2.0 should have been about focusing on leaders that deliver useful apps that could meld into the mainstream and create value. Freshbooks should have been the poster child and, yes, companies like AGORACOM should have been highlighted as well. Why? Freshbooks/AGORACOM and others were able to use Web 2.0 technologies to deliver real value into the marketplace. Real value for customers, users, founder and investors.

Had he focused on these kinds of companies, he would have encouraged a generation of programmers and entrepreneurs to take a different, less cool but far more productive path that would have yielded a far better result for the entire web 2.0 ecosystem.

Instead, Arrington got caught up in his ego and chose to focus on those that would come lapping at his doorstep. What he failed to realize was that real entrepreneurs like Mike McDerment didn’t have the time or inclination to pay homage to him by visiting his ridiculous house, thereby eliminating any chance of meeting and reporting on real companies.

Even guys like me that dropped nearly $20,000 to sponsor TechCrunch 40 could not get his attention for more than 2 minutes. Not only did he not come by to thank us for the sponsorship – a common courtesy – my attempt to arrange a 5-minute sit down with him was rebuffed with a curt and rude “no”.

5 minutes with a sponsor,are you kidding me?

His business and personal approach tell you everything you need to know about the future of TechCrunch. I don’t think he’ll go under but his focus on lapdogs and “the elite” has alienated a lot of middle ground.

Sooner or later, that is going to hurt your business. I know that I’ll never sponsor another TC conference again.

Give me Mesh and StartUpNorth anyday.

Regards,
George

There may be some scaling back, but that’s mostly it. If you got a readership, the only way they’re gonna leave is if their either don’t see eye to eye with you anymore, or they just can’t get to the site.

I want to see ReadWriteWeb thrive because I think they have great, relevant and detailed content. I’ve been disappointed in Mashable lately, unsubscribed from them last week.

Bottom line is this: Even in recessions, people read and look for information. As long as that information is available, they’ll continue to thrive and survive. I’ve no doubt that Techcrunch will be one of the survivors.

All web companies are going to feel some effect, but tech bloggers have a number of huge strategic advantages: very low burn rate; a massive base of influence; more connections and visibility than virtually any other players in the space.

It’s gonna be a challenging but fruitful year!