You know, Southack, I've been reading some 'highbrow' on-line journals in the world of mass media and higher education, trying to dissect this recent "pajama blogosphere" phenomenon, of Blogs vs CBS. For example, one out of stellar Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, containing bright, young, predominantly liberal people who have already spent many thousands of dollars to get into American journalism the traditional way, through The Establishment Route (they have a vested interest in seeing that additional, alternative information sources of a democratic and diverse nature do not come to the forefront. How to explain to Mommy and Daddy and one's own peers, when paying back the grad school loan that it was all a waste of time?)
At any rate, if these elitist discussions conducted away from the unwashed masses were held in a closed room, after five minutes you'd have to open the doors and windows for lack of air. Full of dank, hot gas. Very arrogant. Very, very angry (at us). Jealous. Threatened. Nervous.
More than a tinge of concern comes to the surface that is quite perceivable. They think we are idiots for naively and prematurely sounding the death knell of the "Old Media", and they think our time will come when WE are discredited in front of the whole world--and their point will have been proven, their superior position confirmed. Not only do they hope and pray for it, I wouldn't be surprised if some are plotting to have a hand in it.
I have a feeling that Menken would be having a high old time with this story.