The dark side of Web 2.0

The Cult of the Amateur

Books of the Times
The Cult of the Amateur
By MICHIKO KAKUTANI
Published: June 29, 2007
Andrew Keen points out in his provocative new book that Web 2.0, which incorporates user-generated content, social networking and interactive sharing, has a dark side.

Excerpt:

Mr. Keen argues that “what the Web 2.0 revolution is really delivering is superficial observations of the world around us rather than deep analysis, shrill opinion rather than considered judgment.” In his view Web 2.0 is changing the cultural landscape and not for the better. By undermining mainstream media and intellectual property rights, he says, it is creating a world in which we will “live to see the bulk of our music coming from amateur garage bands, our movies and television from glorified YouTubes, and our news made up of hyperactive celebrity gossip, served up as mere dressing for advertising.” This is what happens, he suggests, “when ignorance meets egoism meets bad taste meets mob rule.”

Comment: While I probably won't buy the book (until it is in the bargin bin!), the review was interesting.