The Perception Gap
I've noticed a rather interesting development in American political discourse in that when it comes to viewing the world, either we choose to get our information from the traditional sources, at least "traditional" in the last 30 years, from the Main Stream Media which covers network television, cable and newspapers or we get our information from "new " sources such as the internet, blogs, and radio. In fact, the trust we put in either method of information gateways determines which way we fall politically in general terms. In other words, liberals tend to "trust" their news from the traditional or "old" media while conservatives tend to "trust" their news from the "new" media. This in turn has led to a perception gap when understanding the days events as well as getting an appreciation of the vagaries of any subject that is covered.
The older generation has formed their opinions through the prism of the Old Media. The older generation were the "rebels" of the 60's that is currently in power in the upper echelons of our society such as Academia, Judiciary, Press, Religious bodies and Politics. This phenomena isn't new as there has always been a tug-of-war between those in power and those up-and-comers who eventually will take power. However, this particular generation of older Americans in our upper echelons of society really have a disporportionate ignorance in terms of understanding the newer generation rising to the top. In fact, they are so clueless as to where we came from and where we are going that it is almost frightening they are in power. I believe this disconnect is directly related to their dependence on the Old Media which has become ossified and stuck in the politics of the 60's. The new media is revealing this rather disturbing trend in the older generation as the new generation no longer depends on the gateway controlled by the Old Media. A case in point is the recent Terri Shiavo event in those that trusted the Old Media tended to support Judge Greer's position while those that trusted the New Media tended to support the Shindler position to keep Terri alive. Why would this be so?
Because the Old Media is "agenda" driven news which relies on pictures and a single line of information that all the rest of the networks and papers will follow. The New Media, however, focuses on all aspects of a story due to the fact that the New Media is text-based and anyone can contribute to a story. Thus, there may be agenda's in the New Media however, because so many different avenues are approached in developing a story it doesn't take long before that agenda is revealed for what it is. In other words, the New Media is democratic meaning anyone can call talk radio and speak to thousands if not millions of listeners and the conversation is two-way. Also, blogging can be done by anyone and everyone all at the same time. The internet is viewed by millions and millions contribute to the internet. The Old Media on the other hand is autocratic. It is a one-way street of propaganda with no accountablity to the people. The Old Media is characterized by large institutions with a heirarchy that often mimicks the puffed up royal families of Europe! How long has Ted Koppel, Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings and Dan Rather ruled the gateways of information believing their position to be unassailable and without question or derision in the same vein as the belief in the "divine right of kings"?
If you feel better that the "party-line" is disseminated then the Old Media is for you. If you like your news from different sources and different outlooks with all its various opinions then the New Media is for you.
The older generation relies on the Old Media which itself is stuck in an old era. The rising newer generation relies on the New Media which has now embraced a new era of communications and information dissemination undreamed of by our founding fathers when they crafted the First Amendment. Thus, a perception gap divides the nation which eventually, by a process of attrition and conversion, will give way to the new generation, for better or for worse, that will guide and set the course of the American Ship in the 21st Century.
The older generation has formed their opinions through the prism of the Old Media. The older generation were the "rebels" of the 60's that is currently in power in the upper echelons of our society such as Academia, Judiciary, Press, Religious bodies and Politics. This phenomena isn't new as there has always been a tug-of-war between those in power and those up-and-comers who eventually will take power. However, this particular generation of older Americans in our upper echelons of society really have a disporportionate ignorance in terms of understanding the newer generation rising to the top. In fact, they are so clueless as to where we came from and where we are going that it is almost frightening they are in power. I believe this disconnect is directly related to their dependence on the Old Media which has become ossified and stuck in the politics of the 60's. The new media is revealing this rather disturbing trend in the older generation as the new generation no longer depends on the gateway controlled by the Old Media. A case in point is the recent Terri Shiavo event in those that trusted the Old Media tended to support Judge Greer's position while those that trusted the New Media tended to support the Shindler position to keep Terri alive. Why would this be so?
Because the Old Media is "agenda" driven news which relies on pictures and a single line of information that all the rest of the networks and papers will follow. The New Media, however, focuses on all aspects of a story due to the fact that the New Media is text-based and anyone can contribute to a story. Thus, there may be agenda's in the New Media however, because so many different avenues are approached in developing a story it doesn't take long before that agenda is revealed for what it is. In other words, the New Media is democratic meaning anyone can call talk radio and speak to thousands if not millions of listeners and the conversation is two-way. Also, blogging can be done by anyone and everyone all at the same time. The internet is viewed by millions and millions contribute to the internet. The Old Media on the other hand is autocratic. It is a one-way street of propaganda with no accountablity to the people. The Old Media is characterized by large institutions with a heirarchy that often mimicks the puffed up royal families of Europe! How long has Ted Koppel, Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings and Dan Rather ruled the gateways of information believing their position to be unassailable and without question or derision in the same vein as the belief in the "divine right of kings"?
If you feel better that the "party-line" is disseminated then the Old Media is for you. If you like your news from different sources and different outlooks with all its various opinions then the New Media is for you.
The older generation relies on the Old Media which itself is stuck in an old era. The rising newer generation relies on the New Media which has now embraced a new era of communications and information dissemination undreamed of by our founding fathers when they crafted the First Amendment. Thus, a perception gap divides the nation which eventually, by a process of attrition and conversion, will give way to the new generation, for better or for worse, that will guide and set the course of the American Ship in the 21st Century.
posted by Bruce R. McConnell | 10:50 AM
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