It’s not as simple as that. Google did not go out to commoditize content. Technology created a new distribution system that allowed them to dominate the distribution of content.
If you read the case, many of the videos Viacom was asking Google to take down, were uploaded by Viacom themselves. So everyone was scrambling to get more eyeballs, that ultimately led to commoditization.
Also referring to the parent post, “desert” is not the right analogy when you create surplus around you to keep out competition. I think the knowledge industry is more like a religion, where the information is free but there are still strong structures that support it.
In case of religion, these structures are supported by supportive communal relationships. In technology, by massive network effects.
