In every society, the fight for control over the media is a significant power struggle. In our information age, it is even more so.
We are living in a time of historical upheaval. The war in Iraq and the American elections are not only a demonstration of the absurd but the announcement of a need for change. This change is desired, necessary and written in the wall.
The liberation of words
Like many of you, I inform myself with Google News, blogs and books. This means we are living on the fringes of the media. However, if this behavior is significant (1), it’s not enough to completely overhaul the system.
We can notice that the proliferation of information sources (2) makes centralized control impossible. The written word is in many ways liberated.
The liberation of music (3)
The success of DVD and music TV shows that we are consuming music accompanied by images. The musical hit parade, cornerstone of the media system (and the consumer society), is decided on TV.
Musicians will be free as long as they are able to broadcast their ideas with images.
The home studio is the equivalent of the word processor for writers.
The video home studio will soon become a reality: Camera, digital montage, ADSL television, and web TV – all the ingredients are present to prepare for the upcoming revolution.
By replacing the word “music” with “politics,” we begin to understand what is at stake.
Wanting something besides Star Academy or Fox News doesn’t make me (or us?) a revolutionary. It’s not about denying consumer society, but simply wanting to save it.
Fair commerce isn’t a utopia, but rather a necessity?
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(1) We represent about 5% of the electoral body of “major” democratic countries?
(2) Google assembles more than 500 newspapers and there are more than 10 million blogs
(3) Read a good book on this subject: “Bruits” by Jacques Attali (thanks to Fabrice for his advice)
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