Life in the Network

Something about our fast-moving culture allows us to absorb new terms without really figuring out their meanings. Thus, I was grateful to learn that 'wiki' came from a Hawaiian word for 'quick'-(Lih, p. 3)-I somehow thought it had to do with wicca. But I guess I could have used Wikipedia to look it up. Ha!

My edits to the Wikipedia entry for Katharine Hepburn were minor enough and recent enough not to create too much buzz. I stated that her brother's death may have been inspired by a play she saw with him the previous week--something she mentioned in memoir and in several interviews. I also mentioned that it was rumored she was expelled from Bryn Mawr for smoking, something I remember reading somewhere. I had no substantiation, but am interested in going back and adding it.

I was unconvinced by Lanier's article that Wikipedia is a sign of the coming apocalypse basically because he did not do what Wikipedia usually does so well; substantiate his assertions with examples and sources. I realize that his was an opinion and essay, but the best essayists back up assertions with historical examples. For example, when has the extreme right or the extreme Left created 'dreadful consequences" (Lanier p. 3)? I'm not arguing extremism on either end of the spectrum has not caused problems, but give us a point of reference for pity's sake! Nonetheless, some of what he had to say rang true. There are some things the populance, as a herd does well. Witness the spooky accuracy of the 'ask the audience' function in "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire". And I agree, there will always be room for a strong editorial voice or vision, though Lanier acknowleges this is becoming a devalued and watered down commodity (again, with no historical background or point of reference! Is it the buying up of media by giant conglomerates? Are the good reporters being murdered by jealous plagarist serial killers? He won't tell us.) I also agree that the 'beauty of the Internet is that it connects people. The value is in other people." (p. 6)

What I don't agree with is the American Idol analogy. There is a marked difference between idly dialing or texting a vote, no matter how earnest, and taking the trouble to write, edit, and substantiate an entry viewable by the entire world. I thought Lih's analysis was interesting. I wonder how much more readable are the entries with 'rigor' and mulitple edits--I would like to take a look at them. I also think Lanier is lost in a Hemingway wonderland if he thinks that print and broadcast journalism does not have many hands in any single piece. Isn't that what editors and producers (and global conglomerates) are? Wikipedia is not an Utne Reader ( a print "Meta'?), but it is not the anti-Christ. I also agree with Lanier that blogging is not always serious writing (though I think it can sometimes evolve into serious writing.) I would also like to counter that before the Internet, a LOT of urban legends and false stories were repeated in various media, (magazines, newspapers, broadcast programs) as fact, and the Internet has done a lot to quell kind of action.

I liked the idea of Wikipedia using norms of professional news organizations--like nullifying the term 'terrorist' as Reuters does. I thought Lih's comparison of Wikipedia to DK was useful. His report was done in 2004, however. I wonder if there is a tipping point with such technologies, like when Kurt Cobain discovered that the kind of kids he hated in high school liked his music. Basically, when does the common denominator start to lower quality?

And what can I say about my friend the subservient chicken? What a good use of resources. The creators state they did not spend a lot of money (Anderson, p. 1). Because there was next to no print campaign, paper was not wasted. I think a lot of what Burger King is doing now is to create a goofy-vibed hipness factor--and I think it is working! Witness the Keller's friend who says "I was in Burger King and I don't know why." I confess to loving the 'Breakfast with the King' ads. In a recent visit, even a kid's beverage cup had a weird and funny story on it. Kudos, BK!