The "gnutellafication" of the NYT, CBS and MSM < Experts and Gate-keepers Dethroned >

Emerging Church ^ | 11/12/03 | Editors

[Helms]

Postmodernism and the "gnutellafication" of the mainstream media.

what is postmodernism?

well, there are many answers to the question, coming from the vantage points of architecture, philosophy, music, sociology, literature, and theology, so the definitions are multi -phasic and nuanced.

"postmodernity" refers to a cultural stasis or "state of being," while "postmodernism" references cultural currents or streams circulating within the stasis.

in any case, the notion of postmodernity arose out of the matrix of western civilization and its attendent cultural and philosophical foundations, which presuppose the prior "pre-modern" and "modern" dispensations.

the cultural shift from the modern to the postmodern began in the 1960's. (* ) the famed political economist francis fukuyama described the shift from the modern to postmodern era as the great disruption.

anyone born after 1960 is "native" to this era. other generations are naturalized citizens. so, whether native or naturalized, we all are part of the postmodern world.

in a large nutshell, some key characteristics of postmodernity include:

skepticism about or outright rejection of enlightenment assumptions

the rise of globalization & pluralism

the "gnutellafication" of authority and knowledge

the customization and subjectification of truth

• the rejection of enlightment principles includes the loss of faith in the salvific powers of science and in the eternal hope for "progress."
• the rise of globalization & pluralism means (for example), that the literary contributions of "dead white males," are no longer deemed superior to the contributions of women, native peoples, and people of color.

in other words, "gone with the wind, meet "the wind done gone." in all fields of endeavor, previously closed canons are being opened up, and new gifts are being added to the mix.

• the gnutellafication of authority & knowledge references the brilliant digital music swaping platform called gnutella, which not only cut out the music industry middlemen (a la napster) but also cut out all "central servers."

in other words, in the postmodern culture,the roles and functions of all "experts" and "gate-keepers" are being reduced or re-directed.

the customization & subjectification of truth means that culturally supported meta-narratives and broad-cast notions of truth have been defacto de-constructed.

postmodern truths are concepts that are narrow-cast, self-discovered and authoritative only for the person seeking them.

the modern creedal orientation of "we believe, "has been subverted by the postmodern creedal orientation summed up by sheryl crow in her song which proclaims "if it makes you happy, it can't be half bad."

Cite: http://www.emergingchurch.org/postmodern.html

[WOSG]

"It refers to the "peer to peer" relationships that the news media (ie they copy off one from another) have with each other. One news org develops a story(say NY Times) and the others derive their news and editorial views from it."

Thanks. I know gnutella and peer-to-peer are, I didnt get the analogy to the MSM.

This makes a lot of sense as a description, when I see that most of our local paper is getting 'news' via wire reports and NY Times reporters. So there is so little original source reporting, you see the same report showing up everywhere.

An echo chamber, not a truly diverse media.

We dont need a conservative newspaper, we need a conservative version of AP!

[DTA]

>>>>> Some peg 1973 as the time of turn to Postmodernism ( interesting that it coincides with the Nixon debacle and Roe v. Wade ) . I believe that the philosophical aspects of Postmodernism cropped up in the 60's. PO-Mo is about the movement of Capital, Information and Leftist Philosophy.<<<<

Just my 3 canadian cents. I believe the train entering railway station is good metaphor- it takes some time for the last coach to enter the station while the front coaches are already there.

I would guess that the process started ideologically around 1955 (i.e. start of 'third wave") become culturally felt in 1967-69 (starting with Sgt. Pepper, Moon landing, ending with Altamont) and became fully operational in 1971 (end of Breton Woods gold standard)

it took some time before we got accustomed to it. (ATMs etc.)

Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you...

[The_Reader_David]

I find the article grimly delightful: a postmodern defense of rightwing bloggers!

[risk]

Larry: join my battle against abuse of post-structuralism!