Amateurs Make the World Go Round

This week, we were tasked with reading articles on some websites that make the internet world turn. Specifically, how both Youtube and Wikipedia do what they do efficiently. They're both new communities that developed from the Web 2.0 revolution. But while most people accept and love these resources, there is some dissatisfaction with them. One of these naysayers, Andrew Keen, argues in his book, The Cult of the Amateur, that with the addition of these 'anyone can do it' websites, we are losing our culture, and declining in artistic prowess.

In reality, however, not much has changed. While there are new technologies to facilitate easier access to knowledge of topics, the understanding of them is still the same. Look at Wikipedia. While it does allow for anyone, presumably non-experts, to create a ‘wikiality’, the facts must still be checked with concrete knowledge. At the bottom of every Wiki page is a list of resources used, kind of an internet bibliography. So while it is true that amateurs – “a hobbyist, knowledgeable or otherwise, someone who does not make a living from his or her field of interest” (Keen, 36) – make up the bulk of the editors on Wikipedia, the facts come from the experts themselves.

Keen’s other problem arises in the land of citizen journalism. He sees this as one of the many reaches of amateurism that erupted from the internet. The way he sees it, only the people who went to college for journalism, or has a background in writing is allowed to report on events. But those people can only report on so many things. They’re paid to talk about certain things, and are allowed only that. Citizen journalists, however, have no jurisdictions (besides the law, of course). With the power of the internet, they also helped bring mainstream news to a wider variety of people.

While he doesn’t mention Youtube and its creations, I’m sure he has some negative views on this video sharing site. It’s the definition of amateurism. Whereas Wikipedia required knowledge of something, anything, Youtube just requires a camera. Even I have a Youtube account, in my vain attempt to become noticed. But that’s what it’s all about. The millions of people on that website aren’t trying to destroy culture, and make a farce of art and expertise. They’re trying to develop their expertise into a profitable venture. Based on just the Youtubers I subscribe to, the talents these entrepreneurs have range from video arts (Vincent Cyr, FreddieWong), to actors/comedians (Toby Turner, Ryan Higa, Kevin Wu), and musicians (DavidChoi, Chester See, Destorm Powers, etc.). Some of these artists, such as Freddie Wong and Toby Turner, have mentioned in their videos their educational background in videography and acting, respectively. Yet in mainstream media, it’s rare to see these professional, amateur Youtubers. Just because they haven’t been hired by a record company or film studio, doesn’t mean they aren’t qualified.

In all, the internet isn’t a place for only the professional and expert. It’s a melting pot of ideas, talents, upbringings, and intelligence. From Wikipedia to Youtube, culture isn’t being destroyed; a new one is simply being born.

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Bibliography:

Keen, Andrew. The Cult of the Amateur: How Today's Internet Is Killing Our Culture. New York: Doubleday/Currency, 2007. Print.