Not so long ago, the marketplace was defined for consumers. What was on the shelf was what was available. Moving forward — and fast — consumers are defining the marketplace for the firms that supply it. Linked to each other through open networks, customers now are recommending to each other the best opportunities. To what degree will our economy be influenced by open networks that offer platforms to customers for ideas, products, and innovation? Will the American consumer drive the future of work? Mark Schlageter, David Weinberger, Derek Thompson, Andrew McAfee