As have many here, I always smirked when some desparate MSM guy, or gal, protested that the blogs are unedited, un-fact checked, and out of control. "Yeah", I thought, "You folks no longer guard the gate of ideas, do ya'? That must really piss you off!"
As have many here, I thought the YouTube platform was a terrific stage for creativity, invention, and silly fun. I too, saw wonderful potential for getting out a message that corporate America did not want to hear, or even allow to break the entertainment bubble.
But now I'm having second thoughts.
During the past 30 years we have seen a concerted effort by conservative interests to dumb down the education system, rewrite history, and destroy the scientific method, in favor of a faux religious world view that emphasizes acceptance of received wisdom. This effort dismisses questions as antithetical to a well run society.
As the Net developed I had high hopes that access to truth and facts would challenge this movement, thwarting the development of a passive and uncritical population, accepting what they are told as just another varient of gospel.
We are, however, caught on a Mobius Strip. An entire generation of uncritical folks, untrained in careful analysis, and accepting of everything that reaches them from the world outside of their immediate concerns, is racing along on the "other side" of the track. Truth is "balanced" by lies. Facts are countered by "belief". Inquiry is dismissed as mean and uncivil. Same world. Same impact. Same value, to those carefully cultivated to be accepting of all sources, equally. Judgement is lacking.
Perhaps I should insert an observation here. I am a strong proponent of Free Speech.
But that philosophical position developed and grew in a time when education was seen as equiping citizens to develop an intellectual grit. A time when critical thinking was not a pedogogical theory but an integral part of every ciriculum; unstated, accepted, demanded, without ribbons and bells.
Now we find ourselves caught in a time where anything can be offered as fact and 30 years of careful manipulation of the channels of information decemination have deprived the world of the tools to evaluate the value, or truth, of that information.
We have "viral videos" that lie and distort and "Swiftboating" discussed as a "naughty" but accepted tool in political races. We have a population offered carefully staged "reality" shows as entertainment, many of whom seem unaware of, or unwilling to, question the "reality" of this fluff. We seem to have lost the skills and craft needed to separate the truth from propaganda and manipulation - all arranged by those who want to capture political power by destroying the system that makes it possible for them to win.
So, here is my question. And, it's an oldie, but goodie!
How do we balance the unfettered access to tools which distribute falsehoods and manipulative misinformation, with the need to clean up our politics, educate our citizens, and restore the value of critical analysis?
We seem to be completely rewriting the tenents of our entire society, with little acknowledgement by those who yearn for a more reasoned and thoughful approach. We know there is "gambling in this place", but we seem to believe that we can fight the manipulators and power brokers with truth alone, when we are really battling a culture that has been taught to devalue truth, in favor of blind acceptance of anything they hear, or see.
We have spoken of the culture war with a dismissive chuckle, but that war is ongoing. And, I'm not sure we are winning.