Just now I saw an article describing Bluesky as the “billionaire-proof” social platform - you should have seen my eye roll.
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Just now I saw an article describing Bluesky as the “billionaire-proof” social platform - you should have seen my eye roll. Sure, “billionaire-proof” (quote marks necessary) AND funded by the crypto bros at Blockchain Capital.
I wonder if the person who came up with the hype of Bluesky decentralization is the same who built up the myth of Space Karen as a genius.
Sure Jan - but you can’t fool me.
Media literacy and digital literacy are more needed than ever. I miss the late Neil Postman 🥲
The entire #Bluesky thing is such a beautiful example the success of vaporware marketing. Before the 1980s the tech press was skeptical of corporate claims and did real reporting. Then companies realized it was much more profitable to just make stuff up and trumpet false claims of future capabilities. The tech press went right along, and the result is the current Silicon Valley bullshit mill.
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The entire #Bluesky thing is such a beautiful example the success of vaporware marketing. Before the 1980s the tech press was skeptical of corporate claims and did real reporting. Then companies realized it was much more profitable to just make stuff up and trumpet false claims of future capabilities. The tech press went right along, and the result is the current Silicon Valley bullshit mill.
@mastodonmigration this is beautifully said. There are some companies that are darlings of the tech press - maybe for access journalism… I’m thinking of Apple in particular. I’m always shocked by news reports about new products because they are simply press releases hyping it up and seldom questioning anything... This was true up until recently, I think the tides are turning (widespread negative reactions to the iPhone 16e come to mind)
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@mastodonmigration this is beautifully said. There are some companies that are darlings of the tech press - maybe for access journalism… I’m thinking of Apple in particular. I’m always shocked by news reports about new products because they are simply press releases hyping it up and seldom questioning anything... This was true up until recently, I think the tides are turning (widespread negative reactions to the iPhone 16e come to mind)
Hope you are right. Not sure what it takes for the media to take a critical look at something. Guess it has to be really obviously bad to break through their willful credulity. And, it only happens if enough of them climb on board for safety in numbers.
Think you are right about 'access' being the lever. Journalists basically compete to be their subjects darlings. Bluesky is a good example with everyone falling all over themselves to publish the most effusive Jay Graber hagiography.
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Hope you are right. Not sure what it takes for the media to take a critical look at something. Guess it has to be really obviously bad to break through their willful credulity. And, it only happens if enough of them climb on board for safety in numbers.
Think you are right about 'access' being the lever. Journalists basically compete to be their subjects darlings. Bluesky is a good example with everyone falling all over themselves to publish the most effusive Jay Graber hagiography.
@mastodonmigration even typically critical media gets Bluesky all wrong.
I am a HUGE fan of 404 Media and super grateful for their brilliant reporting. That said, they often refer to Bluesky as “decentralized” on their podcasts… I rage quit listening right away, whenever that happens
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@mastodonmigration even typically critical media gets Bluesky all wrong.
I am a HUGE fan of 404 Media and super grateful for their brilliant reporting. That said, they often refer to Bluesky as “decentralized” on their podcasts… I rage quit listening right away, whenever that happens
Indeed. The cult of personality runs deep with this one. Feel like the subject matter is sufficiently obtuse that the journalists legitimately don't understand it, and the messenger is so appealing, sincere and quoteable that the stories write themselves. It would take some real hutzpa to go against the grain, and the journalist would risk disfavor. Easier to just write 'decentralized', whatever that means, and publish another puff piece.
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Indeed. The cult of personality runs deep with this one. Feel like the subject matter is sufficiently obtuse that the journalists legitimately don't understand it, and the messenger is so appealing, sincere and quoteable that the stories write themselves. It would take some real hutzpa to go against the grain, and the journalist would risk disfavor. Easier to just write 'decentralized', whatever that means, and publish another puff piece.
Oh, and agree about 404. The fact that they don't even get it right is a testimonial to the effectiveness of Bluesky's brilliantly disingenuous marketing comms campaign.
Edit: BTW Thanks to you and Ben for mentioning Neil Postman. Rereading Amusing Ourselves... today, and it is chilling. Huxley indeed.
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Oh, and agree about 404. The fact that they don't even get it right is a testimonial to the effectiveness of Bluesky's brilliantly disingenuous marketing comms campaign.
Edit: BTW Thanks to you and Ben for mentioning Neil Postman. Rereading Amusing Ourselves... today, and it is chilling. Huxley indeed.
@mastodonmigration thank you!
I heartily recommend to read Technopoly next - I love it even more than Amusing Ourselves to Death and end up quoting it ALL THE TIME
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@mastodonmigration thank you!
I heartily recommend to read Technopoly next - I love it even more than Amusing Ourselves to Death and end up quoting it ALL THE TIME
@_elena @mastodonmigration I've never heard of Neil Postman. So thank you both for discussing it. I have to check those books out. Also have yo check out Cory's nonfiction books on the subject as well. Anyone recommend anything else?
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@_elena @mastodonmigration I've never heard of Neil Postman. So thank you both for discussing it. I have to check those books out. Also have yo check out Cory's nonfiction books on the subject as well. Anyone recommend anything else?
@ozoned @mastodonmigration the article that made me discover Neil Postman 8 years ago: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/feb/02/amusing-ourselves-to-death-neil-postman-trump-orwell-huxley Postman is without doubt the most influential figure in how my views of the world were shaped. Media ecology is such a thought provoking field
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@ozoned @mastodonmigration the article that made me discover Neil Postman 8 years ago: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/feb/02/amusing-ourselves-to-death-neil-postman-trump-orwell-huxley Postman is without doubt the most influential figure in how my views of the world were shaped. Media ecology is such a thought provoking field
@_elena @mastodonmigration the Fediverse sure has gotten me to increase my reading. Never bought so many books in my life as I have over the last few years. :'D
