Wikis and open source are just new instantiations of hobbyists who pour over arcane nuances of subjects like philately stitched together with better communication. The rest of the population mostly wants something they can use easily.

This is a very good point... which is why, if corporations can manage to innovate and update themselves enough to offer what people want, easily and affordable, in the medium they want (digital), people will be willing to pay a reasonable price for it. Business models will have to change and update themselves to survive...and their is bound to be backlash from those dragging their feet... but they won't go away.