Virtual Virtue

Is the internet becoming a red/blue quagmire? Will we polarize ourselves into group-think silos, feeding off of an ever narrowing intellectual gene pool? Will the wisdom of the crowds instead become little fortresses of thought, ignorant of other ideas swirling outside the walled world? In “The Psychology of the Internet” I was struck by the Shirky quote  about the loss of moderate voices on the net. I can’t help but transpose Wallace’s views on the “risky shift” to the polarization of America’s politics. As likeminded groups gather in their respective camps, it seems the perspectives and beliefs of the body politic swings towards the edges, not the center of an argument. As communication in America of all forms fragments  (narrow casting on broadcast television, hundreds of specific cable channels, not to mention niche content on the internet) are we also fragmenting the structure of America as a whole? When Fox News creates a conservative version of the Daily Show, a show described variously as edgy and a bomb, a show that swipes at any and all targets in the crosshairs, how do we advance moderation and consensus?  “The ½ Hour News Hour” does not appear to advance criticism with searing commentary, but instead is a video flame mail, serving to coalesce viewers towards one extreme or another. Is this a bad thing? Frankly, I think so. I am deeply troubled by the lack of moderation, and the apparent irrelevance of accountability in the public dialog.

The irony, to me, is that in the commercial sector of the web, reputation and accountability is everything.  I am dependent on the “shadow of the future” as I spend literally thousands of dollars on the internet every year. Reputations on the web drive many of the choices I make on line. What I buy, what I read, who I touch is all driven in large part by others’ reputation. I do tend to patronize vendors and service providers who have “paid their dues” on line. Credibility is such an elusive thing, and without an opportunity to visit their brick and mortar store, I have to rely on the words of past customers. So far they have not let me down.

Overall, this week’s readings were really excellent.

Finally, any scholarly book that references Allen Funt gets my vote. Patricia Wallace’s work gets better with every reading.

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