Exploring the lessons from the age of print for the digital era, discussing the impact of Guttenberg's printing press on society, highlighting the evolution of media dynamics, and advocating for responsible online practices. Delving into the nuances of social media use, ethical dilemmas, and the importance of smaller platforms for genuine interactions. Addressing AI's impact, ethical considerations, and the need for human responsibility in technology usage.
Lessons from the Age of Print offer valuable insights for transitioning to the digital era.
The advent of print revolutionized not only books but also societal structures and national identities.
The industrialization of print media reshaped communication dynamics, emphasizing scale and attention over personalized engagement.
Deep dives
History's Guiding Lessons: The Gutenberg Parenthesis
The 'Gutenberg Parenthesis' theory suggests that print was an exception in history, marking a shift from a conversational world to one more focused on ownership and authorship. Lessons from the Age of Print, like the entrepreneurial challenges Guttenberg faced, are valuable as we transition to the digital era.
Radical Impact of Print Innovation: Democratization and Disruption
The advent of print, pioneered by Guttenberg, was radical, altering not just books but also bureaucracy and societal structures. Print's impact extended to Martin Luther's Reformation efforts, leading to codified languages and ultimately shaping national identities.
Media Evolution and Mass Scale Impacts: From Print to Internet
The industrialization of print media altered communication dynamics, leading to mass media models and attention-based revenue systems. This shift redefined how information was disseminated and perceived, emphasizing scale and attention over personalized engagement.
Social Media's Role in Public Discourse: Black Twitter and Mastodon
Platforms like Mastodon and the community of Black Twitter showcase the power of smaller-scale social networks in fostering meaningful conversations. Despite the challenges posed by larger platforms, these smaller communities offer valuable spaces for marginalized voices.
Regulatory Accountability and Technological Responsibility
Calls for greater accountability from tech companies emphasize the need for clear covenants and assurances to users regarding privacy, security, and information quality. Balancing individual agency with corporate responsibility is crucial in ensuring ethical use of technology.
EPISODE 1618: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to Jeff Jarvis, the author of THE GUTTENBERG PARENTHESIS about the lessons of the age of print for our internet age
Jeff Jarvis is a national leader in the development of online news, blogging, the investigation of new business models for news, and the teaching of entrepreneurial journalism. He writes an influential media blog, Buzzmachine.com. He is author of “Geeks Bearing Gifts: Imagining New Futures for News” (CUNY Journalism Press, 2014); “Public Parts: How Sharing in the Digital Age Improves the Way We Work and Live” (Simon & Schuster, 2011); “What Would Google Do?” (HarperCollins 2009), and the Kindle Single “Gutenberg the Geek.” His latest book is THE GUTENBERG PARENTHESIS (2023)
Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.
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