Blog #4

There is no question that the perversity of the internet has motivated some to the ravings of a mad man. In which our author seems to come across. At least to me. We have given up our privacy, we hold our phones as close as our money, and we use mobile devices as social pacifiers but we are in an age of evolution. There is no doubt that things are changing and when they do companies try to capitalize off of it. But to call all Americans stupid is as hopeless as it is rude. No matter what country we go to humans are the same in terms of being motivated by reward through aggression, sexuality, or gain. I had some trouble with the references but one thing held true. This man is mad at society for not being as “awake” as he is and not seeing the “warning signs” in front of us. That warning sign is that we are being taken advantage of in this age of technology but I believe when all of the worlds intelligence is decoded through search, input, and favorites it will catapult us into a new world of uncertainty. That uncertainty is what I feel the author is so afraid of and cannot admit that he is as unprepared for the future as the rest of us “American idiots”.
As much as I found this end of the world rant disturbing I find truth in it.

“Internet theorists such as Michael H. Goldhaber and George Frank note that the competition for attention is the defining aspect of an increasing number of business practices.”

This quote reigns true. I have interned in several multi national media companies and with the growing popularity of new media such as mobile devises and the internet in general, companies are trying to ride the new wave. This wave of popularity leads to keeping these companies alive through advertising revenue and content. Such as the integration of cigarette commercials in older shows like “The Flintstones”, where there is a will for advertising, there is a way. Snapchat is the most sought after social medias and it points back to the quote above. In order to truly capture attention, companies will pay top dollar.