flux.

Some say the decentralized nature of online communities creates an environment conducive to so-called socialist behavior. I wouldn’t say these tenets are examples of a new socialism* by any means. I think the medium contains too many overarching constituents to take into consideration before assigning it any sociological value.

Given my own experience with online communities I’d lean towards more of a populist approach* – and I also wonder:

Are there any underlying marxist elements at play when we think about how content is consumed?

Rapid technological advancement leads to costly hardware from iPhones, to gaming consoles, to media storage. On top of that, monthly bandwidth and data plans are required to make those things work.

Comcast employs a tier-based system of pricing models for various downstream and upstream bitrates. It’s recommended to have at least have a 1.5MB pull to watch video, a step or two above the most basic monthly package.

This ultimately leads to a pyramid of who can afford what. Are we leaving out those who have limited to no accessibility?

If so, how large will the rift be between the informed and uninformed?

In the print editon of July’s Wired, President Obama’s newly appointed CIO Vivek Kundra references online communities as the new public square where people will discuss government info soon to be released online.

He says that “...by democratizing data, the American people will be able to hold their government accountable, based on evidence rather than talk.”

This is great and the internet does act as a public forum – but only for those who know how to use it.  Will this create an elitist class of those who have means to access this information?

We live and work more efficiently than we did  5 years ago. We have the ability to get more done while constantly staying connected to each other and the rest of the world. In this seemingly decentralized and transparent public sphere we can stream documentaries for free under public domain, read about issues that affect us at the local and global level and then participate. We can even download a free weekly video update from our President.

Information we choose to receive is free and widely distributed. However hi-bandwidth is required to download podcasts, stream video, and move quickly from window to window. We need speedy hard drives and vast amounts of storage space with software that frequently needs to be updated. Not to mention the occasional tech support.

Will those who don’t have these things be left in the dark?

In an emergency, would people with the pricey smart phone have an advantage in avoiding a crisis situation?

If I were part of a Union and there’s activity happening online whereby I can participate in issues that matter to me, firstly I would want to know where to find about it. Secondly, I’d be inclined to participate.

Who are the technological evangelists empowering people of all classes to leverage the internet to their benefit?

The Media Access Project (MAP), Public Knowledge groups are just two of the public interest groups fighting for issues like the expansion of broadband, open access and net neutrality. The Center for Social Media encourages the promotion of a dynamic and engaged public through social media. There are many similar organizations out there (see links to a few below).

Maybe before taking on the herculean task of making government documents public, we should take additional steps to set up programs for public access and consumption.

Content-holders should be encouraged to offer lower bitrated streams of their media. Cities should create a rock-solid plan for municipal wi-fi. Community colleges can offer free classes showing people how to navigate RSS feeds and publish online. We need to leverage new media to somehow to become a voice for all, rather than a privileged novelty for some.

More:

http://www.mediaaccess.org

http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org

http://www.publicknowledge.org

http://freeculture.org

http://www.media-democracy.net

http://www.democraticmedia.org

http://www.freepress.net

http://www.wired.com/culture/culturereviews/magazine/17-06/nep_newsocialism

http://www.wired.com/politics/onlinerights/magazine/17-07/mf_cio

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivek_Kundra

*-

http://www.nicolecifani.com/2008/11/twitter-facebook-and-fox-news-oh-my-or-how-i-was-seduced-by-the-internet-on-election-night/

http://www.nicolecifani.com/2008/10/hacking-the-debate/

Trackback for Facebook readers: http://www.nicolecifani.com/2009/08/media-for-everyone

Rather than creating a Top 10 or Top 100 Records of 2008, I figured that I’d do something different this year by putting together a list of favorite podcasts from ’08.

These are all free podcasts that I subscribe and listen to on a regular basis (admittedly, mostly while doing cardio at the gym). Enjoy, and don’t forget to leave your comments by clicking at the top right hand corner of the post – I’d love to hear what you think!

*Note: Clicking on the title of the podcast will take you directly to the feed in iTunes.

1. La Blogothèque’s Takeaway Shows (video)

I’ve been subscribing for a few years and it’s still a fave. The folks behind the french blog La Blogothèque capture musicians performing in interesting and quirky places around Paris, from Andrew Bird strolling through Monmartre playing the violin to Bloc Party doing an acoustic set in front of a pub. Each show is simply wonderful and intimately beautiful.

2. KCRW Guest DJ Project 
KCRW DJs interview a variety of celebrities from chefs to athletes, actors to comedians on the music that has shaped their life. The interviews are witty, surprising and often quite touching. I know the podcast well as I serve as the online producer for it at KCRW.com.

3. RCRD LBL

Each week the folks at RCRD LBL put together highlights from the week’s selections. I sometimes find it difficult to keep up with the amount of music they post during the week and this podcast offers a nice recap.

3. East Village Radio – Authentic Sh*t
The feed went down as of mid December. But if it comes back (God-willing) this is the ultimate way to get your Marc Ronson fix and hear some fresh bangers to get your Friday night started.  

4. Stones Throw podcast

A hidden gem, the folks at Stones Throw regularly offer up treats like a rare DJ set from Peanut Butter Wolfs’ famed area codes tour, album previews and even the Badd Santa mixtape.

5. Ghostly Cast
The Ghostly International label – perhaps the best electronic label stateside – provide choice live sets and DJ mixes from Ghostly and Spectral artists.

6. Gilles Peterson Worldwide

Gilles brings in guest DJs and producers to discuss upcoming projects and new releases. The podcast is updated intermittently but each one is a treat.

7. Fader Magazine
The folks at Fader offer up an electronic version of their magazine via iTunes.

8. Morning Becomes Eclectic (video) 
MBE provides a glimpse behind the scenes at the KCRW studios. The video podcast offers the entire live session from each artist along with the full 2-part interview.

9. Resident Advisor
A weekly podcast of continuous DJ mixes from online dance and electronic music magazine residentadvisor.net.

10. Woxy.com Lounge Acts Podcast
Performances from emerging indie artists taped live from the WOXY lounge in Cincinnati, Ohio. They offer additional podcasts too featuring unsigned artists, music news, and local bands.

Also:

KCRW Today’s Top Tune
A free song a day from KCRW.

The Interface (video)
The weekly videocast offers live performances from new artists.

Better Propaganda
Every month resident DJ Jonah Sharp Phil produces a podcast of the choicest tunes from all genres and forward thinking labels.

Daytrotter
Daytrotter features an indie band each week, performing four of their songs in-studio.

KEXP Music That Matters
Full-length songs offering a snapshot of what’s new in music.