Geeks, Nerds and Social Norms
In the previous post I made remarks about how internet users generally, and YouTube users specifically, were viewed by the larger community. JJ wrote in response to this entry:
I also find your comments about vloggers and Caroline Jones’ impression of you guys to be interesting. You have to understand that Australian Story is made for a broad audience, much broader than you’re used to with your little vlog audiences. Most ABC, particularly Australian Story, viewers would not vlog, nor I suspect blog, let alone have a great idea of the concept or community. If you take offense at the fact that the concept of you guys needed to be dumbed down, maybe it’s true that you’re social recluses, and as recluses you need to expand your horizons and start mixing with people other than those of similar interests and only fellow vloggers.
For the record I wasn’t offended by the term “geek.” What I do take exception to is the general presumption that there is something inherently odd, and potentially malicious, about being on the internet.
Also I would suggest that the concept wasn’t “dumbed down” so much as glossed over entirely. I bet even the show’s presenter was none the wiser about what she had just watched despite having seen it.
Look don’t get me wrong, I really don’t think that YouTube – or even the internet as a whole! – has universal appeal. I don’t expect people to care or be interested. I would however like to see the stigma towards computers, technology and their users dissipate. After all, people, this is 2008.
Recently actor Steven Berkoff, perhaps best remembered for his role in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, spoke to Dools and Linda on Triple J. He lamented, among other things, that radio stations only catered for young people (an interesting thing to point out on Triple J – Australia’s Youth Network). He also insisted that other than the Beatles there had been no good or interesting music since the sixties.
I had two thoughts. Firstly, I felt sorry for this man and his inability to find musical satisfaction during the previous 40 years. Secondly, I felt confident that this man could probably find a radio station to his liking… online.
I’ve come to refer to it, politely, as traditional media but it is also known by another term, mass media. Mass media is wonderful if it suits your needs, if you are part of the (if you’ll excuse the expression) unwashed masses. If you are content with your current radio stations, television stations and newspapers then clearly there is no need to look anywhere else. However the more specialised, obscure, esoteric your interests – the more you can benefit from the resources available on the internet.
I think the piece was fairly balanced and represented a viewpoint of many. I don’t think anything negative was implied, but it did express how I communicate with several people that are not familiar YouTube or blogging.
Steves last blog post..Fun times…