Disqus - Latest Comments for michael webster

Re: It’s a good thing you can’t burn blogs

michael webster — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:10:59 -0000

Mathew, I agree with Cynthia's comment. When you read the entire Lessing speech, and give it a charitable interpretation, what she says about the internet is that is selects for inattention. (I would also add that it rewards absurd claims with inappropriate amounts of traffic.)

Ironically, the techcrunch article demonstrates the first thesis: it is impossible to read Lessing's speech as anything other than demonstrating a profound respect for and homage to reading.

And she doesn't think, parenthetically, that much reading goes on in blogs.

But the parenthetical remark is just that. The entire essay is a beautiful piece of work.

Today my office internet was out; I was "forced" to read Andrew Goodman's work on Adwords for 3-4 hours.

I may make internet down/book reading up a new office tradition!

Re: It’s a good thing you can’t burn blogs

michael webster — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 02:02:43 -0000

Mathew;

I don't think that there was a "drive by". In context, having read the entire article, the point was simple: there is too much reacting on blogs, and not enough reading, thinking.

The TechCrunch article, as much as I like Duncan Riley, was a perfect example of what I take her point to be.

And I agree with Carr's observation about Cynthia's third point - it does feel like a cop-out.

There is also a deeper irony in Lessing's speech; some of us would not have taken the time to read it, but for TC's own little drive by!

Michael

Re: TED: These sour grapes taste terrible

michael webster — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 21:08:01 -0000

Didn't Groucho Marx have the same complaint?

Re: “If the news is important, it will find me”

michael webster — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:49:08 -0000

Uh, would you say "if knowledge is important, it will find me."? No.