[lbo-talk] Jezebel + Alcohol + Stage = Prolonged Tweenage Wasteland

Dwayne Monroe dwayne.monroe at gmail.com
Thu Jul 10 12:41:26 PDT 2008


Doug:

I dunno, maybe the effect of the Internet on political/cultural discourse? Bourdieu argued that TV favored "fast thinkers" - that it by its very nature made considered thought and commentary impossible. The publication schedule of print tolerated-to-encouraged slower thinking. Even having 24 hours between newspapers allowed some time for editorial reflection. Weeklies and monthlies allowed even more. Now everything's instant - and, in Jezebel's case (like the rest of Gawker Media), writers are paid by the pageview. So pump it out, the more sensational the better.

..............

I think you have a point.

Paul Virilio said:

'As time changes, it is speed that changes gear and history that changes camp, finally attaining a speed limit that cannot be exceeded.'

Which, to the grumpy and jaded, sounds like the sort of thing French theorists are always saying (probably to get laid). I do believe however, that there really is an accelerando effect in play, no doubt making it more difficult for the most deeply involved cohort to catch its breath and watch its back.

And of course, as you mentioned, Gawker Media writers are reportedly driven like laptop equipped, Roman galley slaves. To quote shag, they're baking their own bread and circuses; simultaneously acting as disapproving emperor, bloodthirsty crowd and lion devoured Christian.

Some seem to handle the situation better than others.

.d.



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