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 Literature / Cult Of The Amateur-andrew Keen (book Review) by elprokez(m): 11:53pm On Jul 23, 2016 |
Hullo fellow NLanders..... I have been thinking of creating this thread for a while now. This Book is a must read for all internet users and lovers of the Web 2.0 revolution. This a review of the book "Cult of the Amateur-How today's Internet is Killing our Culture". The book is available on Amazon.com, for those who want to read the entire content. I have provided video links for better an easy comprehension of the topic. I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the contributions of my course-mates who contributed immensely in this review. To my esteemed readers and analysts, Enjoy!!! Please read and share!!! BOOK TITLE: CULT OF THE AMATEUR (How Today’s Internet is Killing our Culture Author: Andrew Keene About the Author: Andrew Keen is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur whose writings on culture, media and technology have appeared in top national dailies of the world. He is the founder of and Chief Executive Officer of Audiocafe.com. He is also the host of the acclaimed internet show, AfterTv and frequently appears on radio and television. Keene lives in Berkeley, California. About the Book: Cult of the Amateur is a two hundred and forty-two (242) paged book, which is divided into eight (  chapters, with further notes and acknowledgments/index. It was published in the United States of America in 2007 by Doubleday, an imprint of the Doubleday Broadway Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York. With the ISBN Serial No: 978-0-385-52080-5. INTRODUCTION Andrew Keene compares the pre-internet age, with today’s technology world where he draws an analogy of T.H. Huxley’s scenario of infinite monkeys empowered with infinite technology seemed more like a mathematical jest than a dystopian vision. Keen emphasizes the consequences of a flattening of culture that is blurring the lines between traditional audience and author, creator and consumer, expert and amateur. In the Cult of the Amateur, Keen reveals the world of Web 2.0 where amateur internet users are likened to monkeys. These amateurs with less talent in the creative arts, rather than creating masterpieces for online consumption, are creating an endless digital forest of mediocrity. He gives examples such as wikis (Wikipedia), blogs, YouTube, search engines (Google) and many more. He explained that blogging has become an obsession, such that a new blog is created every second of every minute of every hour of every day. See: The Internet_ http://www.ajkeen.com/ www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lV3YRJKLq8 The nature of blogging according to Keen is centered on the personal lives of individuals which exemplifies their amateurism. He affirmed this by stating that the New York Times reports that 50 percent of all bloggers blog for the sole purpose of reporting and sharing experiences about their personal lives. The number of blogs has increased exponentially since then. Blogs have become so dizzyingly infinite that they have undermined our sense of what is true and what is false, what is real and what is imaginary. The emergence of social media sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter has led to the proliferation of amateurs. More interestingly, old media is facing extinction due to the activities of individuals on the internet competing with mainstream media for the audience attention. As traditional mainstream media is replaced by a personalized one. Amateurs are creating contents through wikis (Wikipedia), blogs, YouTube and generating advert revenue. Similarly, the profits of major mainstream media like newspaper companies (New York Times Company) in the world have plummeted as a result of the technologies of Web 2.0. Some of these companies faced financial challenges in such a manner that they at one point laid off their workers. The rise of YouTube has posed a major threat to the sales of movies by Hollywood, thereby reducing their revenue. In the Cult of the Amateur, non-professionals have become experts, authors, producers, editors, and cultural gatekeepers as the audience crave for more and more information. As the nature of audience interest determines the type of content generated. www.youtube.com/watch?v=giuKW5ELWeE CHAPTER ONE – The Great Seduction In this chapter, Keen’s analysis of the concept of Web 2.0 generally describes him as a pessimist who sees nothing good in Internet revolution. He thrashed the subject matter on the ‘Cost of Democratization’. He stated that “because democratization, despite its lofty idealization, is undermining truth, sourcing civic discourse, and belittling expertise, experience and talent, it is threatening the very future of our cultural institutions.” This he referred to as “the Great Seduction”. He argues that those of us who want to know more about the world, those of us who are the consumers of mainstream culture are being seduced by the empty promise of the “democratized” media. “For the real consequence of the is less culture, less reliable news, and a chaos of useless information.” Keen provided many instances to prove that the internet rather to be a blessing to humanity, has negatively affected us culturally, economically and intellectually. According to Keen, what the World Wide Web (WWW) is giving us today is a ‘superficial observations of the world around us rather than deep analysis, shrill opinion rather than considered judgment’. Before this, Keen had described how he left the family of the internet geek to become an ‘Unbeliever’ of the Internet cult due to his experience in the FOO camp. Keen explained that the Web 2.0 revolution has left content creation to amateurs who have no professional qualification to understand the nitty-gritty of news production, article writing, and moviemaking. This according to him has in all ramifications relegated experts in this field to the background. However, Keen’s definition of whom an ‘expert’ is vague. He sees an expert as someone who possesses an academic qualification in a particular field or subject matter. While according to the English dictionary, an expert is a ‘person with extensive knowledge or ability in a given subject’. On the Web 2.0, there are a lot of the so called ‘amateur’ who possess extensive knowledge in what they are doing without having an academic qualification. Are these people also amateur? This goes a long way to prove right Keen’s subjective analysis of the Web 2.0. From Keen’s choice of word in this chapter, one is likely to see a contradiction in his inability to present an argument and stick with it without diversion. Keen’s comparison of the internet users with the “Infinite monkey concept” intensively reveals the deliberate misrepresentation present in his book. Even when Keen tried to praise some of the beneficiary features of the Web 2.0, he ended satisfying his “unbeliever ego” he has on the coming of the Web 2.0. According to the Monkey Theorem, “if you provide infinite monkeys with infinite typewriters, some monkey somewhere will eventually create a masterpiece”. But Keen argued that instead of creating masterpieces, these internet amateurs are creating an “endless digital forest of mediocrity”. This is also not true. One cannot deny the fact the Web 2.0 has led to more fact been available to users. Information is being quickly denied and confirmed via Web 2.0. Day in day out, masterpieces is being created on the internet. Duo, Keen maybe right in some of his argument, however his stance on the use of the product of Web 2.0 like Blog, MySpace, Wikipedia, YouTube and his comparison of the traditional media to these Internet site is somewhat out of place. According to him, the traditional media has professional gatekeepers who edit content before publishing making the content generated a perfect example of artistic presentation, while in the Web 2.0, everybody is a content producer, an editor and a publisher producing propaganda as true information. Keene may have forgotten to tell us that the issue of false information, rumour and propaganda started and spread wide with the use of these traditional media. These media aided the spread of propaganda and false information without giving the people the means to resist it. However, even though Web 2.0 has its own share of blame here, it has made lot of false information and propaganda to be busted than the traditional media who has the so called ‘expert’ as gatekeepers. Therefore, Keen’s qualification of the Web 2.0 as comprising ‘amateur writers, amateur producers, amateur technicians, and amateur audience” further shows the author personal bias in the whole book who sees nothing good in the internet revolution. |
| Literature / Re: A Broken Destiny: The Sword Of Vengeance by elprokez(m): 10:04pm On Jun 30, 2016 |
Its been a great while Mr. Brown. I have been following your plot for this story and I must say its impressive. However, the delays in updates have killed the novelty of this story. Nevertheless, you are a creative writer. The story treatment and description of the several characters in this book have been below par in comparison to the Last Wolf Series. I guess you have a reason for that. Anyways, waiting for your next update. |
| Literature / Re: Letting Go By Audrey Timms by elprokez(m): 2:36am On May 09, 2016 |
Mrs. A.Timms... Absolutetly Breathtaking... I'm short of adjectives.... Sayin' words of prayer concerning ur health... Its well 1 Like |
| Literature / Re: A Broken Destiny: The Sword Of Vengeance by elprokez(m): 10:24pm On May 04, 2016 |
Oga Brown... Still waiting for tonight's dinner.  |
| Literature / Re: A Broken Destiny: The Sword Of Vengeance by elprokez(m): 5:01pm On May 01, 2016 |
Well done Mr. Brown Take lots of milk for your HO  1 Like |
| Literature / Re: A Broken Destiny: The Sword Of Vengeance by elprokez(m): 7:56pm On Apr 30, 2016 |
HBD Mr. Brown Wish you better things ahead. Cheerio!!! |
| Literature / Re: Tarasha - (An Action Thriller) - Story Of The Month - January 2016 by elprokez(m): 7:49am On Apr 27, 2016 |
Mr. Oyin HBD...
Wish all the best life has to offer... |
| Literature / Re: A Broken Destiny: The Sword Of Vengeance by elprokez(m): 8:02pm On Apr 26, 2016 |
Mr. Brown... How are you doing!? I'm having high expectations.... Updates please... 1 Like |
| Literature / Re: A Broken Destiny: The Sword Of Vengeance by elprokez(m): 5:34pm On Apr 25, 2016 |
Mr. Brown Here we go Again... Its been 3months...Nice to have you back... Following this piece with unwavering devotion... 1 Like 1 Share |
| Literature / Re: Tarasha - (An Action Thriller) - Story Of The Month - January 2016 by elprokez(m): 11:23pm On Apr 08, 2016 |
THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF TARASHA!!!  |
| Politics / Must Read: An Open Letter To Kaduna State Deputy Govenor by elprokez(m): 11:04pm On Mar 29, 2016 |
AN OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY THEEXECUTIVE DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF KADUNA:ARCH. BARNABAS YUSUF BALA (BANTEX)ByABEL. KYour Excellency,It is with a heavy heart that I write to expressmy concern as a Bona-fide indigene of SouthernKaduna and a prospective Journalist.Sir, my attention was drawn recently to a newsarticle posted onwww.naij.com, an online newsforum on March 29, 2016 with a kicker headlinetitled “Kaduna Deputy Governor blames SouthernKaduna journalists for peddling the Rumor”. Arumor, which claimed that you and that you andthe governor engaged one another on a slappingspree at a cabinet meeting on the march 25,2016.In all honesty, I never cared, as I was never afan of yours, neither was I a fan of the APC ledadministration particularly in Kaduna state. Infact, when I heard you were selected to be therunning mate the governor for the 2015elections. I thought to myself that the glory haddeparted from southern Kaduna, as the governorhas chosen for himself a running mate whom hecan easily manipulate to support and succumb tohis whims and caprices, and that your positionwould only serve as a consolation to the alreadyaggrieved and marginalized indigenous people ofSouthern Kaduna.With the memories of our unsung Heroes, suchas Late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, LateIsaiah Balat and others to mention but a few stillfresh in our minds, other prominent natives suchas Nuhu Bajoga, Sen. Caleb Zagi, Nuhu SomoWya, Yohanna Jatau etc, are among the few welook up to, who can “Moses” or “Joshua” us tothat to that promised landLo and Behold, an article written bywww.thewhistle.comon March 25, 2016 told usof how bravely you took a stand against thedecision of the governor to prematurely retirecivil servants of whom you believed majoritywere from Southern Kaduna. According towww.thewhistle.com, in your words, you said youcould not control the backlash that will arise asa result of that action, and I quote: “I cannot gohome, they will stone me”. Furthermore, in thecourse of the argument, after it was alleged thatthe governor slapped you, you took a mature stepby taking to your seat, telling the governor “sincehaving argument and counter views earned me aslap, I think the right to do is to let everyoneknow and then resign”.I considered the above statement a bold andcourageous step, which totally restructured myschemata contrary to my earlier stance aboutyou. Instantly, you became my hero such that Ihad to create a hashtag on my Facebook wallstating; “ # BantexManOfTheYear ”. Although, theincidence of the alleged counter-slapping(s)coming from you sounded like a bonus track of amusical entertainment content. The emphasishowever, was on the fact that you stood up foryour people and that earned you an automaticticket into the people of Southern Kaduna’s “Hallof fame”.To my surprise however, I read fromwww.naij.coma statement they obtained fromNigerian bulletin, which quoted you as saying, “Iam aware for instance, of the spread ofridiculous rumor seeking to paint me as a victimof fictitious fight. This sort of lies is beingspread by certain journalists of southern Kadunaorigin. For what reason?”The emphasis here is “by certain journalist ofsouthern Kaduna origin.”I must state here clearly, that I have noaffiliation whatsoever withwww.naij.comorwww.thewhistle.com, but as a student ofjournalism and a mass communicator I havelearned that communication takes place throughverbal and non-verbal forms. One of which is byBody Language (non-verbal). Thus, I put it to yousir that the series of events that took place afterthe said cabinet meeting which had the both ofyou seated together, left much to be said aboutthe relationship between you both. For instance,the recent AFCON Qualifier match between theSuper Eagles of Nigeria and the Pharaohs ofEgypt that took place at the Ahmadu BelloStadium, where the both of you were seatedtogether but each looking towards differentdirections of the pitch simultaneously as thematch is being played, justifies the claims. Inyour defense, one may attach such a reaction inthe stadium to the tension of the ongoing matchand anticipation for a score from the Eagles. Fairenough, this could pass for a reason.Nonetheless, at the end of the match, theGovernor was pictured holding hands with theSports Minister and cheering the players, withoutyou in sight. What could have accounted for yourdisappearance?Lastly, at the dinner party organized for theEagles, you were pictured wearing a long face.Could it be a result of the score line, which wasnot in favour of Nigeria? This could have alsopassed for a reason only if you are a die-hardfootball fan.In a nutshell, your body language is proof enoughto inform the public that there is no love lostbetween the both of you as at then. It istherefore, hoped that as the respectable andmature men that you both are, you have settledyour differences if there was any at all.Nevertheless, Sir, if the statement bywww.naij.comis actually true and coming fromyou, then I take back my words and choose tosee you from my earlier point of view. However, Iwant to believe the above is not coming fromyou, even if it is; I still want to believe you wereunder some form of duress to have signed sucha statement.Note: This letter is no meant to incite anyoneagainst anybody or institution rather it is the# VoiceOfAMinoritySympathizer , and I only writeas a concerned citizen and a prospective“Journalist of Southern Kaduna Origin.”God bless the People of Southern Kaduna,God bless Kaduna State,God bless Nigeria. Copied!!! |
| Literature / Re: Tarasha - (An Action Thriller) - Story Of The Month - January 2016 by elprokez(m): 9:52am On Feb 19, 2016 |
Mr. OyinPrince The descriptions of your certain scenes in your story are marvelous, in spite of occassional typographic errors. Indeed, you have something great rolled up your sleeves. Well Done. Following!!! TARASHA 1 Like 1 Share |
| Literature / Re: The Last Wolf Series : The Forgotten Mate (December 2015 Story of the Month) by elprokez(m): 9:45am On Feb 19, 2016 |
Mr. Brown!!! I've been away lately, that is this the sole reason I have not posted on this forum. You have indeed turned this SERIES TLW Series into a twister of suspense, ecstasy, fantasy, tragedy and most of all action. THE FORGOTTEN WOLF was nothing short of a thriller. Well done Sir!!! I'd be delighted to get notifications of the next SERIES!!! THE BATTLE OF gods (Olympus) 1 Like |
| Literature / Re: The Last Wolf Series : The Forgotten Mate (December 2015 Story of the Month) by elprokez(m): 11:13pm On Feb 10, 2016 |
Mr. Brown!!! I lack adjectives to qualify what you've achieved with TLWS:TFM...Slow &steady you've created a trademark for urself!!! Remarkable... Keep the flame burning mate!! Thumbs up... Following ur lead!! 1 Like |
| Literature / Re: The Last Wolf Series : The Forgotten Mate (December 2015 Story of the Month) by elprokez(m): 12:06pm On Jan 26, 2016 |
Mr. Brown thumbs up!!! The plot thickens again... I can not wait to see the unfolding drama.... 1 Like |
| Literature / Re: The Last Wolf Series : The Forgotten Mate (December 2015 Story of the Month) by elprokez(m): 9:49pm On Jan 20, 2016 |
Absolutely intriguing Mr. Brown!!! I hail thee 1 Like |
| Literature / Re: Whispers On Christmas Night (horror) by elprokez(m): 11:00pm On Jan 03, 2016 |
Dr.Goodheart... A job well done so far... The suspense is thickening... "Turning the front cover, it was titled 'Necronomicon'." That caught me attention... "...walked back into the house without noticing the slitted eyes staring at her from the shadows in the distance." I can't wait to read the next update!!! |
| Literature / Re: The Last Wolf Series : The Forgotten Mate (December 2015 Story of the Month) by elprokez(m): 10:44pm On Jan 03, 2016 |
hookupshere: With all due respects Mr.HookUp... This isn't the appropriate place for what you posted. Take note!!! Or I'll send Richard to come for your neck... Mr Brown....I hail thee... 1 Like |
| Literature / Re: Whispers On Christmas Night (horror) by elprokez(m): 2:49pm On Jan 01, 2016 |
Happy New Year...Dr. GoodHeart |
| Nairaland / General / Re: The First Thread On Nairaland In 2016!!! by elprokez(m): 3:04am On Jan 01, 2016 |
HAPPY NEW YEAR... BLESSINGS, SUCCESS, FAVOUR, & BREAKTHROUGHS ARE YOUR PORTION THIS YEAR WELCOME to 2⃣0⃣1⃣6⃣ THE CLASSICAL YEAR!!! |
| Literature / Re: The Last Wolf Series : The Forgotten Mate (December 2015 Story of the Month) by elprokez(m): 4:02pm On Dec 29, 2015 |
Bloody Hell...This Piece is just wicked... Mr. Brown, your previous updates have blown my mind beyond imaginable proportions... I took a break from NL for the Holidays...returned today...just in time to receive such amazing narration... Piece through piece, paragraph by paragraph, updates upon updates...You have left your followers stunned!!! More Spontaneous ideas to you Sir. Thumbs Up!!! (Merry Christmas in 'arrears' and fantastic/prosperous New Year) 1 Like |
| Literature / Re: Whispers On Christmas Night (horror) by elprokez(m): 3:09pm On Dec 29, 2015 |
Okay!!! I saw this on the FP... I've read all previous posts and well done GoodHeart02... U've got an impressive write-up here...I like the pictures &imagery you paint using words...I still feel you can improve on them. This is necessary to give your readers a clear picture of what you want them to see...Horror stories need a whole lot of description in a brief, concise...and eerie way!!! More spontaneous flow of ideas to you. Thumbs Up! Following!!! (More Updates) 1 Like |
| Celebrities / Re: Nysc Embarrassment: See What A Corper Posted On Facebook (photos Here) by elprokez(m): 3:44am On Dec 24, 2015 |
May her Fiance see that picture.... Amen!!! Ise!!! Amin!!! Ase!!! Tomorrow they start disturbing on Nland with their 'stories' of advice... Its a Shame!!! 1 Like |
| Travel / Re: Airport Official Pushing Aeroplane [photo] by elprokez(m): 3:39am On Dec 24, 2015 |
The Other time it was a Ladder they used for AERO passengers to alight from the plane Now they're pushing a plane...maybe they have a deflated tire... Tomorrow...they may probably tow plane in the Sky... Naija...A land of vast possibilities BTW...OP addonbilivit... I've seen that picture before... Smh!!! 17 Likes 2 Shares |
| Politics / Re: Essien Ayi Sleeps During 2016 Budget Presentation - See Photo by elprokez(m): 3:46pm On Dec 23, 2015 |
Okay... Let's pretend that...nothing happened... If indeed he was sleeping... It's an embarrasment. Coz as a Legislator, you cannot afford to sleep when matters of National Interest are concerned... 32 Likes 4 Shares |
| Politics / Re: Did You See That Broken Seat At The National Assembly Close To Buhari [PICS] by elprokez(m): 3:34pm On Dec 23, 2015 |
Addonbilivit.... What has a broken seat got to do with 2016 Budget... Bloggers...this kind tori...na una daily bread... 1 Like |
| Politics / Re: Photo : APC Supporters In Lagos State Want Their Votes Back ! by elprokez(m): 3:01pm On Dec 23, 2015 |
MosakuAW: Let Nigerians Keep their fingers crossed, go down on their knees in prayer...And expect the best from this administration... They need time!!! |
| Literature / Re: The Last Wolf Series : The Forgotten Mate (December 2015 Story of the Month) by elprokez(m): 7:34pm On Dec 20, 2015 |
And the Suspense thickens with more ferocity... Respects Sir Solomon.... Keep it coming ---------------------------------------------------------------------- More UPDATES!!! 1 Like |
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