I just recently figured out what a blog is. Everyone kept talking about blogs, nonstop, and I could not wait to see one!

It’s worse than I thought. I agree completely with Andrew Keen, and will buy his book and try to contact him (does anyone know how?) to let him know. Never mind, I will “research” it.

In the late seventies we started giving everyone a personal computer. That was the first mistake; Andrew Keen may be too young to have been around then … and there were instant writers, layout artists, technical “experts” … oh goody, I can do this myself without having to study or listen to anyone who ever has … The same thing has happened in the crafts, like joinery. Any asshole can go to Home Depot and—instant architect! Instant Master Joiner, Plumber, Electrician! Now I can build my own … McMansion! And don’t study music; just go on American Idol! You do not have to know the scale anymore, dummy. Just imitate whom you like, and ….

Yes, now the world is full of crap. It would have happened anyway, maybe, but the computer has sped up the process a little. There probably always plagiarism, but now it’s discovered and exposed sooner.

I would never debate Mr. Jarvis, though, because his internet-origin vocabulary is perfect, and I cannot keep up because I am a full-time reader at 67, trying to catch up on the classics because I was working at the computer to make a living while my contemporaries were students and upwardly mobile. But I do get all my books on Abe. Hardbacks only, and as many first editions as I can afford. My “newest” one is In Defense of Elitism.

My point is that nothing is being ruined by ANY amateurs - all that is happening is simply a market in evolution - no more or less.

In fact, I would argue that in fact EVERYONE/ORGANIZATION currently “playing” in the area of “New Media” are amateurs, as this Market is NOT the same as the so-called “legacy” media because although it deals in information and communications, the differences are in fact large enough as to define a NEW Market. It’s like the sport of Cricket versus the sport of Baseball. They have similarities, but are very different - just like “Legacy” versus “New” media.

I agree with Andrew on many of his points. I feel like him that the Internet has been a boon to amatures, and it has eroded people’s passion for deep knowledge on anything. The ‘copy-paste’ cuture has marred originality and creativity. I see the Internet as no different from a cheap music television the only interest of which is to sell useless consumer products like lubricated condoms and designer bras.

You will loose, and I wish you decided to go.

To quote Mr. Jarvis:

“I’m not handing over my authority; I’ll decide what to do. But I do value your opinion.”

Authority? Your authority over what? Your authority over yourself or do you fancy yourself as Lord of the Bloggers?

Well, seeing as Mr. Jarvis fancies himself as Lord of the Flies, I think it unnecessary, as Mr. Keen insists, that a set of laws governing behaviour on the net is needed.

There is definitely a codependent and sycophantic relationship between your Highness, Mr. Jarvis and his subjects.

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TECH/internet/06/06/keen.amateurs.reut/

Apparently, someone has already debated Keen:

“Clay Shirky, a lecturer on new media technology at New York University, came spoiling for a fight with Keen at a recent online politics conference in New York. Instead, Shirky says he found himself defending Keen.”

I agree with you that Keen, as far as I know,
doesn’t mention finding anything good
from “citizen media”.

If you don’t debate him, Keen can write:
“Jeff Jarvis, the famous blogger , was too
afraid to debate me!” [ not a good outcome
for those who believe in the value of
"citizen media"]

If you _do_ debate him, then there will be
a _public record_ of this, for the foreseable
future. Presumably, you can achieve some
sort of rebuttal, given your journalistic
experience, etc.

Debating him might increase his book sales,
but on the other hand might well
diminish his credibility.

On balance, I think a debate is a “good thing”.

David

I find it ironic that he slams blogs but then has one of his own, with the comments turned off very quickly! Hmm.

Also, I’d like to read that book of his - just to see what it’s like… somehow, without having to buy it from him. Hah.

-J

Well, while you’re thinking about “having AN debate” (sic), you might consider that Keen is hardly the clueless prankster you make him out to be. It would be an interesting debate.

Jeff — delighted that you want you want to do the debate online, in the full gaze of the world’s media. Like the Super Bowl or the World Cup final, shall we do it a neutral digital venue? My only request is that we have a moderator who establishes the rules, keeps the peace and makes it fun.

ak

[n.b., I think a better analogy is less Jerry Springer and more at professional wrestling - it's about the performance of the "characters"]

what has this noble exercise taught you about the efficacy of pure plebiscitory forms of web democracy?

So you opened up with a provocative original post. We got the inevitable lumpenproletarian insult-mongering. And we got some really fair remarks from Jay, Renee & Chris.

But are you any closer to making a decision? did this debate sway you one way or another? Did it teach you something that you didn’t already know?

The only thing it taught me is about the academic origins of your journalistic career. Was that worth such a long-winded, if occasionally amusing debate?

ak