The actual value produced is the marginal improvement it offers over the next best alternative.
In other words, don't compare snapchat to carrier pigeons, compare it to what those people would be using without snapchat: google chat, whatsapp, text messages, email, or one of 1000 other very slightly different ways to chat.
Sure, even a small number multiplied by millions can still become important. But let's not pretend that they invented the printing press.
Another way to look at it is that the internet and mobile data are what's connecting people. The fact that a bunch of people happen to use the same extremely shallow layer on top doesn't mean a whole lot.
In other words, don't compare snapchat to carrier pigeons, compare it to what those people would be using without snapchat: google chat, whatsapp, text messages, email, or one of 1000 other very slightly different ways to chat.
Sure, even a small number multiplied by millions can still become important. But let's not pretend that they invented the printing press.
Another way to look at it is that the internet and mobile data are what's connecting people. The fact that a bunch of people happen to use the same extremely shallow layer on top doesn't mean a whole lot.