For example, let's assume that microformats make sense for business. The h* family of microformats, like hReview and hCard, are a sort of HTML fundamentalism. The premise is that HTML already supports most of the semantics a new data format would need, and that reinvention is destructive.

the weblog of Lucas Gonze

Somewhat to the contrary, I see microformats as an opportunity for invention. All that is really required to create a microformat is to specify a protocol for using standard html elements and attributes. People with an adequate understanding of these things can crank out a format within a few hours.

The much harder issue in microformats is the politics of getting them accepted by an expert group. A smart strategy for innovators at this point might be to focus on areas that are not already the focus of an expert group. Instead of getting involved in a standards war, find a new frontier, drive adoption by people with needs, and declare yourself the winner.