The Buzz Behind Buzzmachine

Jeff Jarvis is an supporter of new media. That's pretty much a "duh" understanding that you get once you start reading his blog. Many of his current jobs and ventures deal with online journalism, though he is able to separate blogging and journalism as two separate entities. You get the impression that he doesn't completely dislike print newspapers, but rather sees the short comings and the potential to improve.

Some of his blogs include praises for new media avenues, like YouTube, where common citizens can post questions for presidential candidates to respond to. In this case, Jarvis relishes in the active uses of interactive journalism. It allows people who would otherwise not have a voice to be able to be heard. He also urges many of his own readers to become socially and politically active via media tools such as YouTube.

On the flip side, reading back into the archives, he sees the perils of such new technologies. He critizes Pay Per Post, a pay-by-blog website that allows users to post opinions on products such as cameras or computers. Jarvis feels that this is a complete unethical exploitation of the sites non-liability sentiments for their content.

Both viewpoints are valid, but certainly not new by any stretch. Up and coming technologies that offer a great deal of positive benefits always are not without some negative aspects. What I take from Jarvis' opinions is that money is ultimately the driving force behind either point, regardless of ethical intentions. It's cheaper for Senator McCain to have citizens post their questions, and respond to them online, rather than assemble a costly press conference. Likewise, Pay Per Post will gain ad revenue by the product companies in which are most favorable to their own content, without having to produce any original content of their own.

Technology flawed. It's a prevalent, yet unfortuanate, aspect of our current day society.