Ultimately, there is a continual flow of information from mainstream and alternate media into the OSM community, and then, in some select cases, back again into the mainstream and alternate media. I predict that as the Blogosphere continues to grow in both content and in respectability, the flow of OSM content to mainstream and alternate media will grow as well.
So, why is this new "Open Source" media community worthy of respect?
As mentioned previously, the existence of thousands, if not tens of thousands, of professionals with expertise in every major field who can read, analyze, and comment on information flowing out of every major and minor media channel in existence.
The fact that both new and mainstream media are increasingly attuned to information which is being generated by or coming out of the Blogosphere.
The increasing adoption of Blog technologies by the media.
The ability of the Blogosphere to generate ideas and information regarding any possible topic, be it cultural, political, economic, historical, etc. Within the Blogosphere lies more information, more expertise, and more resources than any one media company could ever possibly muster on its own.
The ability of the Blogosphere to act as a watchdog on societal issues, just as the new and mainstream media have. As a matter of fact, the issue with Rathergate has demonstrated that this new open source media world can even serve as watchdog over the watchdog itself, so to speak.
What are some strengths and weaknesses of the open source media community? If you read through the lists below, you'll see that this community possesses some of the same advantages and disadvantages as the open source development community.
STRENGTHS:
The open source media world possesses vast amounts of expertise on nearly any topic, subject, or issue.
Information passes quickly through this new medium and reaches out to anyone who knows how to find it, sometimes being disseminated even before new and traditional media even have time to hear about it.
Ideas are generated and improved upon quickly as they pass through the community.
Odds bits of information, not often known and/or connected by other media sources, are connected through the myriad of sites and/or commentators through which they pass.
The open source media community is connected everywhere, and has an increasing influence upon society.
The OSM community may prove an even more powerful draw than talk radio in that it is far more interactive. If you have an idea or thought, you post it your blog. If you have a comment for another blogger regarding their post, you leave a comment. It's all very easy and VERY powerful for individuals who feel the need to actively engage in any number of debates.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
exceptional job David, very thorough and interesting analysis of the media and blogs' role therein - a very fine primer for those who haven't been following this for the last few years. Thanks!