Keen's argument

[Joel Bloch]

Keen isn't the only one making this argument. Other journalists in particular are wondering how the lack of gatekeepers and the easy ability to publish will have on their profession. It's like a topic i sometimes hear about ESL teaching: some people believe that anybody who speaks English can teach it, so why pay us. Even some advocates of multimedia literacy are beginning to think there needs to be some pushback.This is what I feel when I hear Wesch. I don't know if this show is accessible outside the US, but this documentary was on American TV this week: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/view/?utm_cam...

[Helen Strong]

Thanks for posting that link, Joel. Yes, I was able to watch it here in Germany. Some very interesting points made, particularly about our abilities to multitask and the effects technology is having on our brains.

[Elizabeth Anne]

Yes - a very interesting documentary - thanks a lot for the link ... (and also to Michael for redirecting me to your page)

[Nina Liakos]

Yes, we've seen that point of view (anyone who speaks English can teach it to foreigners). I think there are still some jobs in some places that seek native speakers to "teach" English (model it, more like). The challenge when so many people are weighing in with their (not always well-researched) opinions is to evaluate the arguments (and the one making them)--something we should do anyway, but it becomes more crucial when "just anyone" can upload their views. (But that doesn't mean I have to read them.)

I missed that FrontLine. It's a good show. When I have more time, I will try to watch.

[Joel Bloch]

The point I think Keen misses is that the reason that people are turning to these Web 2.0 sources it that they have become disillusioned with the traditional forms of media and the gatekeepers who control the access to them. But Keen is worried about his job and what institutions are going to fall to him - independent bookstores, small movie theaters etc. are all succeptable to the power of Web 2.0. There are other areas, despite what Stephen Downes and George Siemens may think, such as academic publishing where Web 2.0 has not had that kind of impact. it's a conversation as the Cluetrain manifesto put it, and we'll find out where that conversation leads to.