The Opposite of Dumbing Down

With the two articles assigned for this week's reading, it seems as if we are experiencing the same age-old clash of generations. Keen's article and Doris Lessing's comment on the fragmentation of contemporary culture appear to be archaic and elitist, two words hated most by the proponents of the Web 2.0 revolution. However, it would be completely ignorant of those who don't agree with them to take Riley's approach to the situation, issuing a blank rant of social democratization against the people who have set examples for us.

While Keen may come off a bit pretentious, he does have a point about the state of the blogosphere. With hundreds of thousands of voices and opinions out there, it is pretty easy to get wrapped up in the most absurd of it all. Sites such as YouTube serve as a breeding ground for trash as well as interesting and engaging content. When we see some of these less credible blogging sources, such as the emo kids spouting purported musical prowess through red and black locks of swishy hair, contorting their faces to look like morons, then signing off with an awkward smile and peace sign, it's easy to see where Keen is coming from.

However, despite the fact that not all bloggers should be taken as professional journalists or experts, most aren't actually as dumb as we think. Technorati's 2009 State of the Blogosphere report found that the majority of bloggers are "highly educated and affluent," specifically with 75% having an undergraduate degree and 40% having a graduate degree. In fact, only 6% have a high school degree or less. The report represents the way in which "traditionals" underestimate current technological trends. The majority of bloggers provide diversity, the type of social democratization that has really revolutionized the way we access information. The report also found that only 35% of bloggers work within the format of "traditional media." They are doing exactly what they are best at: providing diverse opinions that lie outside of the mainstream or complimenting the experts' material.

These bloggers are not saviors, however, and the majority of people do use the Internet for the must mind-numbing of uses. I myself have spent hours on Facebook or Stumbling through Firefox to come across humorous, fake motivational posters. The important thing for the consumers of this information to remember is that not everything on the internet is set-in-stone fact. Diversity of opinion allows for a lot of garbage alongside the valuable information. The best thing that experts, journalists and scholars can do is make sure to keep up with the times and take advantage of this new media in order to make sure that their quality material is ready and available to the public. We'll always need something to turn to once the heaving and ear-wrenching groans of Chris Crocker's "Leave Britney Alone" video become too much.