Shirky discusses how it was a mistake to think that as children grew up and got jobs, they would be so tired that they would slump on the couch after work and watch television. I agree with his view that computers and phones are participatory compared to the television which is consumption.
Before developments in new media, many people have spent many hours watching the television, which unless it is being watched as a faamily can beome sometimes lonely. I can see how Shirky says it may be sometimes depressing adn lead to unhappiness because it leads to more wants and desires from people. People on the television are idolized in that they have fancy cars, housing and clothing. It is natural for people wanting television to want to possess those same materialisitc possessions and not being able to have all of those things can be depressing.
Due to advances in new media we still want some of those materialistic possessions but our focus shifts to different things. People spend more time communicating with each other through their computers or cellular devices. Peopuse their friends are not as lonely or depressed because their friends are only a phone call away.
Tichina — this certainly shows that you have your head around Shirky and some of the ideas animating his arguments. Remember, though, that the assignment was to discuss a concept from the book through the lens of your personal experience. Is there something from your own life that can illustrate soe of the ideas you present above?