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"In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, there was - at least for a short time - a quality of vividness and clarity of focus in our public discourse that reminded some Americans - including some journalists - that vividness and clarity used to be more common in the way we talk with one another about the problems and choices that we face. But then, like a passing summer storm, the moment faded."

Gore must not have noticed all the follow up stories--in the print media--that said the reports from journalists during Katrina were all wrong. Over-hyped, misleading, and just plain wrong. I wouldn't call that clarity.
Plus I can't believe that he completely discounts the access that is found on talk radio. There are tons of different kinds of talk shows, not just from the right, and most of those shows take calls and there is a conversation in the "marketplace" of ideas.
Someone else had it right, he is lamenting these changes not because it endangers democracy but because they have ended the stranglehold the left had on the public discourse and the media.

"he is lamenting these changes not because it endangers democracy but because they have ended the stranglehold the left had on the public discourse and the media"

Algore SCUM - what a babbling nitwit! He thinks he's some kind of intellectual when in fact he's just a far-left moron. He's still babbling about "digital brownshirts" of the right (anyone who challenges the MSM SAPs and FRAUDcasters on their lies and distortions). He really thinks that the 'Rats have priveleged understanding of democracy and that anyone who challenges them on issues is a "hate monger" i.e., Rush Limbaugh's "digital brownshirts." What a pathetic loser.

He's quoting Habermas (radical German philosopher) as some kind of authority on the state of media and democracy in the USA (the 're-feudalization' quote) when in fact the outpouring of public debate and dissent via talk radio and then websites, blogs, etc. is obviously one of the best things that's ever happened for real democracy. There are still many many problems with the media and our democracy, to be sure, but most problems are associated with the continuing attempts of charlatans like Algore and his allies in the SAP and FRAUDcasting worlds to re-assert their control in the face of their loss of stature.

This speech should be labeled with a 'MEGA-HURL' alert!