Technology always provides the good along with the bad, and that's no less true when it comes to media technology. The internet and associated advances have made it much easier to consume information and publish commentary (this blog is, of course, a perfect example), but the internet has also made it much easier for us to filter and individualize the content we want to see. With diversity comes the risk of self-imposed isolation.
To combat these problems, I always recommend reading a range of publications that offer different perspectives, whether they be different newspapers, TV networks, or blogs. That's why I tend to draw ideas for this blog from many sources, most of whose commentary I disagree with, at least most of the time. The thrill of reading people you disagree with is that every so often you find common ground or one person actually changes the other person. The rest of the time, the value is in the intellectual stimulation of a varied set of reading. I try to give a diverse list of recommended blogs (at right) and if you have other suggestions feel free to send them my way.
On the issue of media specialization, my better half showed me this page, which has a masterful vision of the future. It considers the world of individualized content under the media giant Googlezon (Google + Amazon) and what that means for democracy and journalistic ethics. It's worth a watch, and it combines real events (some of which I didn't know about) with its vision of the future.
In the end, use the world of specialized media for its good, but be aware of the dangers. Do not fall into the trap of reading one source of news or opinion, and do not blindly accept what you read.
To combat these problems, I always recommend reading a range of publications that offer different perspectives, whether they be different newspapers, TV networks, or blogs. That's why I tend to draw ideas for this blog from many sources, most of whose commentary I disagree with, at least most of the time. The thrill of reading people you disagree with is that every so often you find common ground or one person actually changes the other person. The rest of the time, the value is in the intellectual stimulation of a varied set of reading. I try to give a diverse list of recommended blogs (at right) and if you have other suggestions feel free to send them my way.
On the issue of media specialization, my better half showed me this page, which has a masterful vision of the future. It considers the world of individualized content under the media giant Googlezon (Google + Amazon) and what that means for democracy and journalistic ethics. It's worth a watch, and it combines real events (some of which I didn't know about) with its vision of the future.
In the end, use the world of specialized media for its good, but be aware of the dangers. Do not fall into the trap of reading one source of news or opinion, and do not blindly accept what you read.
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