The Files Are "In" the Computer...

I agree with Dave and Amber. The pessimistic approach was not conducive of persuasion- or to put it another way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2NhwAG-ilw

I understand Keen's concern with the breakdown of our cultural gatekeepers and traditional media. In the end of his chapter he attributes the downfall of traditional news to the ever-growing forest of borderline intelligent media and blogs. These are multiplying and gaining popularity, but I believe he is viewing the glass as half-empty. Traditional news media has become a political outlet that has hung themselves through lack of professionalism. The glass may be half empty for CNN and The New York Times, but at the same time Fox News and other conservative media is on the rise. I believe that Keen's frustration over these "cultural gatekeepers" demise is actually rooted in the fact that the traditional media is no longer able to control American society. They had the rope in hand to save or hang themselves all along.

I don't mean to get on my high horse (as I have already used the spell checker four times) but our local paper, The LaCrosse Tribune is a joke when viewed through the professional looking glass. The editors miss the usual spelling and punctuation as is human and acceptable, however the sentence structure and lack of coherency makes me wonder if the writers have even heard of a "topic sentance." The paper seems to be written in the local jargon- Don't cha know, -and many quotations are so nonsensical that it's obvious they are being used as fillers. In addition to the lack of pertinent news the paper often shows its political bias and religious bigotry as demonstrated in last weekends edition. If you don't believe me, read it for yourself: http://lacrossetribune.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_ba759390-c037-11df-812e-001cc4c002e0.html Granted these can all be excused under the guise of "opinion" but there is a distinct lack of rebuttal, not to mention that that article was very wrong on multiple levels.

Keen complains of mediocrity, but I believe that is the level that many of our traditional "Gatekeepers" have stooped to. Self conscious Americans are no longer listening to their garbage. They are turning to alternative media and finding outlets that help them think rather than tell them how to think.

As far as Facebook, blogs, Wikipedia, and stupid videos on You-Tube are concerned- WE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE- we turn to Wikipedia knowing that it is not a credible news source, but it's great if you want to see the list of episodes in that show you were just introduced to. Facebook and Twitter are cluttered, but it's a way to contact friends far away and let them know what is happening in your life, and see what is happening in theirs. Self advertisement is O.K. Also, everyone needs a break from reality or perhaps a simple laugh on You-Tube. The point is, when we engage in these activities we are aware of what they are and we are exercising our personal choice.

Unlike Derek Zoolander and Hansel we are not stupid monkeys, and without our bad attempts at professionalism we will never improve. At least bloggers, forums and the like have never claimed to be a professional and reliable media outlet whereas many of our "Gatekeepers" do, and miserably fail like the rest of us.

M'ap boule, Christian Sorensen