Keen On America Episode 2265: Jeff Jarvis on how to reclaim the internet from moguls, misanthropes and moral panics
11 snips
Dec 7, 2024 
Jeff Jarvis, a prolific writer and former Tow Professor of Journalism Innovation, discusses reclaiming the internet from corporate giants and moral hysteria in his new book, The Web We Weave. He highlights the internet's evolution from an open community to a corporate-dominated environment and critiques surveillance capitalism. Jarvis emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability to protect digital freedoms while addressing the impact of hedge fund ownership on local journalism. His insights offer a bold vision for a community-driven internet.
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Episode notes
Internet Moral Panic
- The internet is currently facing a moral panic, similar to past media scares.
- This panic, however, is amplified by the internet's existential threat to traditional media.
Early Internet Optimism
- Jeff Jarvis believes the internet was initially more open and collaborative, exemplified by early blogging.
- Corporate involvement brought innovation but also consolidation, shifting away from this initial spirit.
Free Model Benefits
- Jeff Jarvis argues that "free" is a beneficial model, enabled by the internet's scale and exemplified by Google and The New York Times.
- He posits that free access expands reach, which then allows for successful conversions to paid subscriptions.
