Pattern number within this pattern set: 
187
Paul Reinhart
Paul Reinhart
Problem: 

Despite the interactive and information aggregation powers of the internet corporations still predominantly make products and “top down” market them to consumers. This is inefficient and unsustainable.

Context: 

In the early development of commercial products and services there was a very direct connection between purveyors and consumers. As a result of this products were built for specialized needs. The cart maker made a cart that met the real needs of the buyer.

Discussion: 

Historically the evolution of commercial activity has increasingly moved toward increased distance from understanding the needs of individual consumers and toward a top down marketing driven approach to support the mass production basis of industry.
In the main this continues today despite the concepts of “mass customization”, “1:1” relationships and the like.

Solution: 

Use the power of global networked communications to aggregate information in such a way that markets for sustainable products can be quantified and consumer preferences for mass market products can intersect the marketing / production cycle.

Pattern status: 
Released