Can Monetizing Content Create More Growth on the Net?

Major props to Louis Gray for cluing me into a new development in the world of making money on the Internet. In his post titled Assetbar Launches Fanflow for Premium Messaging and Content, Gray talks about a new service offered from Assetbar called FanFlow. Long story short, it allows for the monetization of content from the developer to the reader.

There has been major strides in growing content on the Internet. Information is shared and updated by the second on millions and millions of pages. We have a way to create the content (ie Wordpress), We have a way to aggregate the content (ie Google Reader ) but we do not have a way to sell the content. I agree with Louis when he says:

One of the major issues hindering the growth of many Web services today is that users are not willing to pay. We don't want to pay for using their service, we don't want to pay for content, and we usually don't want to see or click through ads.

I see it daily when it comes to growing social networks. Many people choose not to spend time developing content on social networks because they cannot place any value on the time they spend developing profiles and content on networks. When I am out talking up a new network or a new development project I usually get the response:

My time is worth (some dollar amount). I don't have the time to spend joining and developing sites like Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn, Smaller Indiana, and Plaxo. How can I place a value on something so intangible?

Visibility is king for me when it comes to creating content and joining multiple networks. Though I have recently been conscious about how much of my time I spend on sites that do not create added value to my pocketbook.

Have we reached a breaking point on the Internet? Has growth been hindered because of the amount of time needed to spend on developing content doesn't pay out?

Has Assetbar created a means to place a monetary value on time and effort in creating content? I think so. I am interested in seeing the development play out.