Pitted against laddish tech-culture Loaded wannabe mags, Wired UK didn't have a chance. Most Brits and Europeans regard technology as another way for status. Nifty gadget, well played mate! Magazines such as Stuff and T3 even acknowledge the fact that they fly in the face of the social, political and economic implications of technology which Wired UK covered seriously and in depth. They consistently had some of the best minds in the world contributing but customers weren't interested.
The skeptical British took the optimistic views of Wired UK as being American liberalism and cultural imperialism, which it wasn't. The real problem is that Europe is unwired. Europeans are lacking in vision, they don't take risks, they don't look for the opportunities. Tied in beaurocracy and corruption Europe is being left behind in a massively important revolution that is sweeping the world. We don't have any Bill Gates or Steve Jobs due to a lack of a willingness to experiment, be different and take a risk.
As long as Europeans regard the Internet as another widget, a gadget instead of an incredibly powerful new communications medium with the ability to give power to the citizens of nations then Europe will remain unwired.
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