Link of the day is a commentary on cognitive surplus, a well thought out, well written look at sitcoms and stasis. The following is not meant as criticism, but as an attempt to add another dimension to what is presented.
I'll admit to staring mindlessly at television screens, feeling ashamed of my inability to find a better outlet for my energy, hoping that society will one day remove the "Under Construction" sign hanging from the dawning epic my generation is due. But I would like to sound a note of caution against interpreting sitcoms as the newest social depressant, a stopgap solution standing on the road to a more useful interaction.
Beyond water cooler conversations there sits the collective stares of a family of four, grouped around microwaved meals, engaging in minor skirmishes brought about by a single inappropriate chuckle, defining social values and identity through the reactions of the viewer. This kind of authoritative storytelling is older than Homer, and it is something which will continue regardless of how easy it becomes to interact with the stories presented.
The creation of content is more personal than reaction borne of consumption, and it is through the latter that social bonding readily occurs, as the gray areas of interpersonal communication are slowly defined through reference to a story outside of ourselves, beyond our control.
I don't think that Wikipedia and YouTube can replace television. If there are too many providers of content, the value of the content decreases in terms of its ability to provide a means of bonding with individuals as yet unknown.
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