Crowded Out? The Search For A New Crowdsourcing Buzzword

2/6/2010 | blur Group | James | 2 Comments

We all know Crowdsourcing is fast becoming the Web’s hottest buzzword- but things could be about to change. Two creative agencies (GeniusRocket and 99designs) are attempting to re-define the term and render Crowdsourcing to the depths of the technological vocabulary wilderness alongside ‘the information superhighway’ and ‘cyberspace.’

So how are they going about this gargantuan task? Simple- they’re Crowdsourcing it…

The two companies launched the project last week titled, “Are You a Dick…But Really Wish People Would Call You Richard?” Its aim is to discover a superior, narrower and more accurate definition that will usurp ‘Crowdsourcing.’ GeniusRocket and 99designs are of the opinion that ‘Crowdsourcing’ has become worn around the edges, flabby and too broad.

“The fact of the matter is that the term ‘crowdsourcing’ has just become too vague,” says GeniusRocket CEO Mark Walsh. “We want a term that describes the power the global creative community can provide, not just a business industry buzzword.”

Have you got any ideas? If so, you have until July 9 to get your entry in. A shortlist of 20 names will then be drawn from a panel of judges (including executives from GeniusRocket and 99designs) and from there, the finalists will be presented on the project website, ready for the public to select the all-conquering idea. The creator of the winning term will receive a $1,000 prize from GeniusRocket.

But isn’t this just a bit of fun? Who would seriously sacrifice the naming rights to the web’s next all-encompassing buzzword for a mere $1,000?! Can you take a project seriously that begins with the title, “Are You A Dick…”?

And besides, the two companies involved on the project are dedicated followers of Crowdsourcing. They’re not attempting to undermine the Crowdsourcing process; they’re trying to highlight the core values of Crowdsourcing and the complexity of the term. Although- haven’t we been here before?

Ok, so the particular debate that time around wasn’t focused on Crowdsourcing per se- but the underlying point remains. The word ‘Crowdsourcing’ is flawed- and it may well have swallowed a whole host of other terms that do not necessarily have any right to stand alongside it- but unless GeniusRocket are preparing a Crowdsourcing dictionary, maybe we should just accept the term for what it is?

After all, a buzzword is supposed to be trendy and evolve naturally- not force-fed by a few thousand voters. Crowdsourcing has gained increasing momentum over the last few years both in terms of its use in modern day business and in its application- so why fight it?

Feel free to offer your own alternative definitions for ‘Crowdsourcing’ in our comments section. We’re not going to offer a $1,000 for your thoughts (or even $1 for that matter) but view the discussion thread as an opportunity to test-drive your efforts before you fight for GeniusRocket’s measly monetary reward…

Tags: 99designs, buzzword, crowdsourcing, definition, GeniusRocket
1814 views, 1 so far today

http://twitter.com/peterlamotte Peter LaMotte

Thanks for the write up. You are right, clearly we are trying have a little bit of fun in this process. We assumed that our leading paragraph would speak to that right away, but you would be surprised how many people are taking it far too seriously.

As for the issue of ownership, we have no intention of profiting from the word. As far as I know, I don't think even Jeff Howe has trademarked the term Crowdsourcing. I guess the real way to make money off a term is to write a book with it in the title. And so I should say, whoever wins is happy to use their to write a book. The $1,000 is merely a way to congratulate one person for coming up with a term that people feel better defines “creative crowdsourcing.”

To that point, we don't dislike the term “Crowdsourcing” in the slightest bit. As you mention our two companies are based upon the concept. However, as you clearly know the term has been stretched and pulled to cover so many different business models that we would love to find a term that defines our little slice of the ever expanding crowdsourcing universe. We will still remain, by popular definition, crowdsourcing companies.

Its just a fun way to see if crowdsourcing itself can better define a small subset of its own world. I speak for myself, but I don't necessarily expect that we are going to find a term that is so spectacular that Jeff Howe himself is going to say, “Wow, that's a much better way to put it.” But how cool would it be if we did! And wouldn't that just speak to the power of the term he coined.

- Peter LaMotte – EVP GeniusRocket
http://twitter.com/peterlamotte Peter LaMotte

Thanks for the write up. You are right, clearly we are trying have a little bit of fun in this process. We assumed that our leading paragraph would speak to that right away, but you would be surprised how many people are taking it far too seriously.

As for the issue of ownership, we have no intention of profiting from the word. As far as I know, I don't think even Jeff Howe has trademarked the term Crowdsourcing. I guess the real way to make money off a term is to write a book with it in the title. And so I should say, whoever wins is happy to use their to write a book. The $1,000 is merely a way to congratulate one person for coming up with a term that people feel better defines “creative crowdsourcing.”

To that point, we don't dislike the term “Crowdsourcing” in the slightest bit. As you mention our two companies are based upon the concept. However, as you clearly know the term has been stretched and pulled to cover so many different business models that we would love to find a term that defines our little slice of the ever expanding crowdsourcing universe. We will still remain, by popular definition, crowdsourcing companies.

Its just a fun way to see if crowdsourcing itself can better define a small subset of its own world. I speak for myself, but I don't necessarily expect that we are going to find a term that is so spectacular that Jeff Howe himself is going to say, “Wow, that's a much better way to put it.” But how cool would it be if we did! And wouldn't that just speak to the power of the term he coined.

- Peter LaMotte – EVP GeniusRocket