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Imagine a technology that, from its inception, threatens to throw intellectual society into chaos, a technology that radically democratizes both production and consumption of media while creating countless new forms of expression. Now imagine that while some of the new material produced is of lasting value, most is evanescent at best, and that the resulting flood of material weakens traditional institutions, eroding their special place in society by making the functions they provide seem irrelevant to young people.
Imagine, in other words, that this technology creates a stark choice between preserving the current state of society vs. embracing the new, even given the destruction of of traditional values and institutions. Which side would you be on?
I don't have to ask, because if you are reading a Penguin blog, you have already identified yourself as one of the revolutionaries, an embracer of the most intellectually radical technology the world has ever seen: the printing press.
It is impossible to be pro-book and anti-revolution -- the printed word is revolution incarnate, responsible for a greater alteration of the intellectual landscape than anything since the alphabet itself. Movable type so thoroughly remade European culture that the 17th century has more in common with the 21st century than it did with the 15th.
Prior to Gutenberg, most of the books in Europe were the Bible; scribal production was so slow that simply recopying that one book took up much of the available output. After Gutenberg, publishers began experimenting with new forms -- novels, scientific papers, periodicals of all sorts.
People were scandalized by all this novelty. The Church denounced the translation of the Bible into local languages. Martin Luther's 95 Theses, reproduced widely, were the first mass media event. Treatises were written arguing that the scribal tradition must be defended from the soulless efficiencies of the printing press (though deliciously, these arguments were then printed, in order to be able to get more readers quickly.) And of course, morality was threatened -- it did not take long for the new class of publishers to discover that erotic literature sold well.
It's worth noting that most of the arguments made against the printing press were correct, even prescient. Readily available translations of scripture did destroy the Church as a pan-European institution. Most of the material produced by the new class of publishers was flyweight. Scribes did lose their social function. And so on, through a battery of transformations including public scrutiny of elites, the international spread of political foment, and even literate women. (The book to read on these transitions is Elizabeth Eisenstein's two-volume work The Printing Press as an Agent of Change.)
All of which brings me to the internet. It too democratizes both production and consumption of media. It too is producing a staggering volume of new material, some good but most flyweight. It too is upending the role of traditional gatekeepers and destroying the older economics of scarcity. And it too is leading to a cottage industry of hand-wringing: "Why can't we just get a little bit of internet, but keep most things the way they were?" (and, deliciously, this argument is often made on weblogs, in order to get more readers quickly.)
The problem with this view is that there is no intellectually coherent conservative position with regard to the printing press. Most of the defenders of current culture don't even try to explain why it was OK that the printing press destroyed scribal production, but not OK that the internet threatens newsprint, or why a proliferation of new creators and experimentation with new forms was good in 1508 but bad in 2008. It is simply assumed that revolutions in the past were good but those in the future are bad (and of course all of this is painted on the broadest possible social canvas, to hide the "Life was better when I was younger" flavor of the argument.)
It is too early to tell whether the internet's effect on media will be as radical as that of the printing press. It is not too early to tell that there is nothing that happened between 1450 and now that comes close. It is also not too early to tell that we are in for a significant transformation of intellectual life, and the lesson from the last revolution is that the way to make society better is not to try to preserve the old forms, but to experiment, wildly, with new ones, including hybridization of the book with the web.
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Clay Shirky, 
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books
The media’s role is to
The media’s role is to package and spread news, current affairs and public interest information to the public. They have great power to shape and influence public opinion, to target and exploit audience reactions, emotions and opinions.
There are more threats
There are more threats coming on the way. We already have online books in pdf and other formats becoming very popular. Add to that, the release of electronic book readers like Kindle growing popular everyday. It might not be far that all physical books will become needless. I personally am a big fan of real life physical books and do not believe that online forms will ever be a replacement. However, the future seems to be very uncertain for print media.
There is no doubt in my mind
There is no doubt in my mind that intellectual landscape has been redefined again and again, generations after generations, that it almost feels as if human species has gone through several phases of literary revolution for the past so many years. I believe the medium of internet has begun creating a black and white choice between embracing the online/paperless way of consuming media versus eroding the traditional means of literature in the form of paper based books, novels, etc.
People were scandalized by
People were scandalized by all this novelty. The Church denounced the translation of the Bible into local languages. Martin Luther's 95 Theses, reproduced widely, were the first mass media event. Treatises were written arguing that the scribal tradition must be defended from the soulless efficiencies of the printing press (though deliciously, these arguments were then printed, in order to be able to get more readers quickly.) And of course, morality was threatened -- it did not take long for the new class of publishers to discover that erotic literature sold well.
love the way you write Clay
love the way you write Clay and the topics you choose to write about.
This article is excellent and love your insight
"All of which brings me to the internet. It too democratizes both production and consumption of media. It too is producing a staggering volume of new material, some good but most flyweight. It too is upending the role of traditional gatekeepers and destroying the older economics of scarcity. And it too is leading to a cottage industry of hand-wringing: "Why can't we just get a little bit of internet, but keep most things the way they were?" This is my favourite paragraph. Love it!
Especially where it says why can't we have just a bit of net but keep things the way they are.
Before keeping in touch with loved ones was so precious and cherished especially if far away, these days that innocence has been taken away and we no longer appreciate being able to communicate with loved ones, to the point where it is taken for granted and we no longer communicate. A technology that is meant to transcend geographical borders and bring us closer has resulted in self inflicted isolation.
Another Literary Revolution on the Horizon - Internet
There is no doubt in my mind that intellectual landscape has been redefined again and again, generations after generations, that it almost feels as if human species has gone through several phases of literary revolution for the past so many years. I believe the medium of internet has begun creating a black and white choice between embracing the online/paperless way of consuming media versus eroding the traditional means of literature in the form of paper based books, novels, etc.
In coming times, paper will
In coming times, paper will become ineffective, and we will totally depend on digital medium. One good thing though - we will at least save some trees :(. However I wonder if school days will be the same, I just can't picture students sitting with their "kindles" to read the chapters, and probably typing into their laptops to record the class lecture.
Simon - Toronto Condos and Stress Management
definitely paper will become
definitely paper will become ineffective soon.. I just wonder, what will happen to the people if technology will continue to develop? According to research papers and other paper writing on the net, if technology will continue to grow a lot of people will lose their job because machines can do faster and better products than them. People might become lazy because computer can give us all we need in just one click. I am really bothered on what might happen to us. :(
This is really interesting.
This is really interesting. Thanks for these tips.
You will save some trees
You will save some trees yes, but have you wondered if those digital mediums are biodegradable?
When the printing press was first introduced it was criticized by many. No doubt it helped a lot, but as you said it yourself, at what cost?
Internet has its advantages as well as disadvantages but hopefully the first are greater than the second.
Well, i think it's well
Well, i think it's well known that Theses 95 was bug-ridden bloatware abandonded by users in frustration. ;-)
Yup.
It is not too early to tell that there is nothing that happened between 1450 and now that comes close. It is also not too early to tell that we are in for a significant transformation of intellectual life, and the lesson from the last revolution is that the way to make society better is not to try to preserve the old forms
Intellectual Landscape defibned
You are right on about the intellectual landscape we are in, but the internet I believe is closing the gap between those with limited access to intellectually challenging work and studies.
about the video
It is too early to tell whether the internet's effect on media will be as radical as that of the printing press. It is not too early to tell that there is nothing that happened between 1450 and now that comes close. It is also not too early to tell that we are in for a significant transformation of intellectual life, and the lesson from the last revolution is that the way to make society better is not to try to preserve the old forms, but to experiment, wildly, with new ones, including hybridization of the book with the web.
There are more threats
There are more threats coming on the way. We already have online books in pdf and other formats becoming very popular. Add to that, the release of electronic book readers like Kindle growing popular everyday. It might not be far that all physical books will become needless. I personally am a big fan of real life physical books and do not believe that online forms will ever be a replacement. However, the future seems to be very uncertain for print media.
Forex Robot | Toronto Condos
Both can coexist and compliment one another
When I want to but a book I look on the internet and read reviews of other like minded readers to get the information I require, which is basically buy or don't buy. When it comes to the enjoyment part I don't buy a downloadable pdf book I will always choose a printed book that I can hold in my hand and take anywhere. The internet cant be beaten for information retrieval, but there is still a place for printed media until such time as we run out of the natural resources to make paper.
There Will Always Be A Place
I firmly believe that there will always be a place for print media to co-exist with online. Long term, these will be seen as collector pieces, like a valuable book or CD.
The internet is changing the
The internet is changing the way the people interact and the way the technology evolves. Today information is shared between the whole world 24/7... this is very dangerous. The internet may be the greatest thing that has ever happened... or it could be our downfall.
that is a false construct
that is a false construct imposed by non-fluid thinkers, and totally after-the-fact, reactionary, has to do with nothing that any real intellectual society is concerned about, except as theater, perhaps
The current analogy for your
The current analogy for your thinking is Detroit.... the big three... and their wriggling to avoid the inevitable. It's movin' and all that matters to me is that we are very clear about what matters to be human. All the flotsam of the industrial revolution aint it. Happy if you fiddle while Rome burns. But to suggest that Shirky's contributions don't contribute to helping folk think about what matters is just offensive!
The Church wasn't destroyed
The Church wasn't destroyed in the way you imagine; it persists today, and in fact makes uses of the Internet as much as you do. The printing press was revolutionary, but it didn't quite do all that radical democratizing you imagine, because only elites were literate. And these "stark choices" didn't have to be made, and surely don't have to be made now with such reckless abandon -- this is just goofy giddiness about some tools that produce 20 percent of voters reading political blogs?
Thanks
What a best way to describe your view. Thanks for sharing with us. Really like your informative article. Hopefully we will get more interesting topic from you in future.
It continues to ride the
It continues to ride the wave, it is only the mediums that appear to change, just people addicted to old business models will think they are experiencing chaos, but it is their addiction that gives this impression, not anything real
and there is nothing either/or, either, that is a false construct imposed by non-fluid thinkers, and totally after-the-fact, reactionary, has to do with nothing that any real intellectual society is concerned about, except as theater, perhaps
Interesting stuff..This is
Interesting stuff..This is something that most entrepreneurs would have to ponder on. Thank you for putting this out.
MECHANIX from Sydney
Mate, I totally agree with
Mate, I totally agree with you, this is a great article.
Theology vs Humour
it is well known that Theses 95 was bug-ridden bloatware abandonded (eventually) by users in frustration. ;-)
no, intellectual society is
no, intellectual society is not at all thrown into chaos, not even close
it continues to ride the wave, it is only the mediums that appear to change, just people addicted to old business models will think they are experiencing chaos, but it is their addiction that gives this impression, not anything real
and there is nothing either/or, either, that is a false construct imposed by non-fluid thinkers, and totally after-the-fact, reactionary, has to do with nothing that any real intellectual society is concerned about, except as theater, perhaps
old thinking in this blog from top to bottom
valuable book for the non-geeks like me
Clay's big-picture and intellectual thinking is attractive for the lay-person like me because of his writing style. This book is a good primer for non-geeks like me and the seasoned social media pros. Everyone I've shown it to has gone out and bought a copy. (No I am not Clay's mom or friend)
This book is a good primer
This book is a good primer for non-geeks like me and the seasoned social media pros.
I agree with you, I am not
Scrutiny of New Media Elites, Too
These are awfully broad and unsupported theses. The Church wasn't destroyed in the way you imagine (wish?); it persists today, and in fact makes uses of the Internet as much as you do. The printing press was revolutionary, but it didn't quite do all that radical democratizing you imagine, because only elites were literate.
And these "stark choices" didn't have to be made, and surely don't have to be made now with such reckless abandon -- this is just goofy giddiness about some tools that...um...produce 20 percent of voters reading political blogs?
Maybe the Internet threatens newsprint. But, hey, somebody still reviews *your book* in the Village Voice and somebody still reads it in a cafe rather than plugging into the Internet.
No, the technology itself makes things a little better (your blog comment on the New York Times website might get noticed and can be immediately posted, unlike the filtered letter to the editor), but human nature doesn't magically transform.
What's more troublesome in your book is your theory of groups, and your belief that there is something "better" about secretive, unaccountable, irresponsible wikis, as in Wikipedia. Give me responsible editorial boards with checks and balances, hey, give me the Church any day, which at least has some self-corrective mechanisms to address its scandals that are absent on Wikipedia.
One good thing about the new media is that it gives us a chance to scrutinize new-media elites like yourself, too.
Good grief. Give me the
Good grief. Give me the church any day! Which day? The days they burned folk for upsetting their status quo? The day they burned folk who posed problems for their "system" of beliefs? I have a simple question for Prokofy Neva, if, following a tenet of the belief system aka church, that JC did eventually get back to planet earth, do you seriously think he would even countenance signing up with the organisations that purportedly operate in his name? Give me strength! All this social web stuff is way too early to read. Moore's law keeps on a truckin'. We ain't seen nuthin yet. Fasten your seat belt. I presume you have them fitted in your pew. The argument you make is found in a bunch of old, way past their use by date social organisations: schools, churches, industrial age bureacracies... etc. The current analogy for your thinking is Detroit.... the big three... and their wriggling to avoid the inevitable. It's movin' and all that matters to me is that we are very clear about what matters to be human. All the flotsam of the industrial revolution aint it. Happy if you fiddle while Rome burns. But to suggest that Shirky's contributions don't contribute to helping folk think about what matters is just offensive! There are actually serious human problems to be addressed that the myopia you offer in your reply will do nothing to help. Bon chance!
My goodness, somebody feels threatened
Can there be a more cheerful bearer of new tidings than Clay Shirkey ... which makes this hateful comment stand all the more naked, doesn't it.
It is not too early to tell
It is not too early to tell that there is nothing that happened between 1450 and now that comes close. It is also not too early to tell that we are in for a significant transformation of intellectual life, and the lesson from the last revolution is that the way to make society better is not to try to preserve the old forms
Transformation and Time Scales
Just to be clear, the contention isn't that the Catholic Church was destroyed but that it was transformed, and it _was_ transformed. Prior to the Reformation, it was a pan-European political force. Afterwards, it was merely a religion, and thus it has stayed.
And this is an example of transformation catalyzed by new tools, and, critically, the new social expectations supported by those tools. The 'continuity thesis' -- society changes only evolutionarily, and intellectual work remains the same -- is attractive, but it doesn't hold up to scrutiny. Prior to the printing press and the resulting explosion of new forms of expression, there was no distinction made among the learned between fiction and non-fiction, and the rise of science was driven by the abundance and speed of dissemination (and peer review) that the printing press made possible.
It's certainly a coherent point of view to argue that the current changes don't meet that standard -- I've made my best guess, but its an arguable point, and one worth arguing about. It's not a coherent point of view to argue that intellectual work is untransformed by communications tools, because the historical record demonstrates otherwise.
And we're seeing another rise of peer-review here, when the readers of this blog can subject me to scrutiny, which is of course the point of the whole exercise. What I find curious is that the same commenter who understands the value of that prefers Britannica to Wikipedia, even though Wikipedia improves precisely because of the same process at work here, and it is Britannica that has a secretive process.
What I find curious is that
What I find curious is that the same commenter who understands the value of that prefers Britannica to Wikipedia....
Yes. I noticed that before before you made this post.
novelties on the way
It is the same old story... People get or scare or excited, when something new is coming to replace the way they are use to. Some of the "old things" are going to be easy to forget by having a "new thing", but some of novelty will come and go with no influence on society.