***  Haus der Kulturen der Welt: Forum1 Archive  ***
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   [Date]: Tue, 7 Dec 1999 09:56:40 +0200
   [From]: "Ami Isseroff" <ami_iss@netvision.net.il>
     [To]: "Cultural Exchange via Internet" <forum1@hkw.kbx.de>
[Subject]: Re: [forum1] Re: Access

Hi Susan,
You wrote:

"Let's hope that the internet can replace television, or at least allow cultures throughout the world to embrace a more interactive than passive experience with television. "

What if television turns out to be a faithful, or even an optimal and sanitized, portrayal of the human soul? What if the creative aspect of most people is worse than you would  expect from television?
There is evidence for this - monitor a search engine and see what people look for on the net, or go to any political discussion and see for yourself how much is intelligence, knowledge, wisdom, originality and how much is ignorance, hate, inanity and pointless insults.
GIven a chance to interact, most people don't. Discussion groups have many more viewers than discussers. Those who contribute are not necessarily the most qualified either.

When everyone can determine what is shown, what will win, esthetic values or sensation ?
When everyone has access, whose art will win, talent or sensation
mongering?

Ami