MediaPost's Max Kalehoff had an interesting column that looked at the internet's ability to organically create content, and the key concept that it's this interactive creation of content that holds true value for online content sites. He quotes Jeff Jarvis from buzzmachine.com:
"Some companies are trying to own as much content as they can... but that's silly in a post-scarcity world, where content will be ever-more plentiful (and ever-better as a result). Content is not king. Distribution is not king. Conversation is the kingdom."
This touches on another mind melting paradigm shift for online. With traditional dissemination of content, i.e. news, editorial content, political comment, etc, online gives us all an opportunity to shape, add to and alter the messaging. As society at large wades it, we can all play a part in weaving the fabric of our future society. This is a powerful concept that we haven't felt the impact of yet.