Repetitive. Very repetitive. Repetitive., 22. Juli 2000

Okay, we get it: Markets are conversations. The web is borderless, decentralized, hyperlinked, and lightning fast. The world is changing. The internet amplifies all that is uniquely human about commerce. Fine. But it does not take 183 pages to say that, especially when the book's target audience knows it already. You are preaching to the choir. Give us something we can use.

       The New Required Reading, 18. Juli 2000

Don't even think about starting a business until you've read this book. If your employer is the antithesis of what this book describes, it may not be too late. Send your coworkers to the website, buy or loan them the book. Start a conversation. You could foment a revolution.

It really is that pertinent. I was so jazzed after reading it that I drove my wife nuts blathering about how great it was.

Amazon's customer reviews and general customer-2-customer involvement are, by the way, a perfect example of the "markets are conversations" dynamic of which Cluetrain speaks. ....

      Workers of the world unite, rant, and rave - feel better ?, 18. Juli 2000

Long on hyperbole, short on answers and advice. The cluetrain manefasto is a great wedge book to open up your eyes and think about the new econmy. The 95 theses are terrific, I only wish that the text dealt more with the implications of these theses.

Instead the text rages on about how the status quo is going to be overwhelmed by the new economy. It is fine to rant, however, there is little value add after you have vented your frustration. You will feel better after reading Cluetrain but you will still not have a clue.

If you want to do something in the new economy, go to the website and print out the theses. Use the time you would spend reading the book addressing the issues raised by the theses.

       Here They Stand, 14. Juli 2000

The authors post 95 theses which suggest all manner of ways in which to communicate more effectively during the New Millennium. For example the first thesis asserts that "Markets are conversations", also the title of Chapter 4; the last thesis asserts that "We are waking up and linking to each other. We are watching. But we are not waiting." That is to say, the Internet and the Web have created unique, indeed unprecedented opportunities for conversations between and among people almost anywhere, anytime. So much has already been said and written about technological connectivity and interaction. The Cluetrain Manifesto provides a wealth of insights concerning connectivity and interaction in human terms, connectivity which is permitted by technology but not dependent on institutional ventriloquists. Of course, all this is occurring in so-called nanoseconds. (Check out Guy Claxton's Hare Brain Tortoise Mind for some thought-provoking perspectives on the concept of time.) The authors obviously do not expect their readers to agree with every thesis. Indeed, I suspect, they would be upset if any one reader does. In effect, they say "Rigorously consider what we suggest and then formulate your own theses." Their book combines a cordial invitation to think with a passionate imperative to care.

       Bottom up instead of Top Down, 11. Juli 2000

Its a rare group of fellows who are able to attract the attention of Corporate America(tm) with such amazing respect but also with such subterfuge.

In fact, its such an excellent trojan horse that one can assume that its just a fly-by-night Middle-Managers-Love-It circus hype!

Well, its not.

Its a terribly well thought out historical rereading of the successes and failures of Markets.

Markets are Conversations.

Its one of the Modern Bibles.