Friday, August 22nd, 2008
Revenge of the Mediatards
by Warren
Something’s been bugging me for the last little while about the amatuerization of media. While you probably won’t find a bigger proponent of the democratization of tools for creating media and distribution methods than myself, and while there’s never been a better time for someone with an idea and a camcorder to go out and make media, it’s pretty disappointing to me that what catches on with the general public isn’t thoughtful or unique creations but gossip and nonsense. Witness the rise of Perez Hilton, chronicled in the latest issue of Wired. Hilton’s blogging consists of mindless gossip wrapped in an infantile bow of terrible writing, and yet his site makes on the order of 50k a day in advertising. And Julia Allison’s Nonsociety is about…what, exactly? Nothing but navel-gazing and the craven pursuit of fame for fame’s sake.
But we can’t blame vain, shallow people for being who they are. It’s our own damn fault for falling prey to the same craven impulses they wallow in and enabling them. For further spite and bile, check out this Huffington Post article about female New York bloggers, and how they’re cheating themselves by writing about superficial nonsense and staring at their own reflection.
3 Responses to “ Revenge of the Mediatards ”
I see where you are coming from, and I don’t totally disagree. However, I like the “power to the people” the aspect the Internet has introduced. Why should Hollywood have the market cornered on shallow, fame seekers? It’s good to see that these folks can do it on their own and generate some dough, and it’s not like they would be out solving the world’s problems otherwise.
True, and I guess it’s OK to give them an outlet for their nonsense. I just wish it didn’t bubble to the periphery of the subcultures I’m interested in.
Fair enough. BTW: I believe the nonsociety girl is sitting in front of a Macbook Air, which qualifies it as the official computer of douche bags. I believe you mentioned it was going to be popular with that set when it came out.