NPR: Love In the Time of Hollering - The Age of Enthusiasm

[Swilly]

[URL="http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/12/20/255723936/love-in-the-time-of-hollering-the-age-of-enthusiasm"]NPR Story[/URL]

[Quote= NPR]And now we are in the Age Of Enthusiasm.

It is enthusiasm that, with social networking as an accelerant, brought about what we now know as cultural virality, which has proved to be almost as fascinating and menacing as more traditional virality. It is enthusiasm that makes it possible for a premium cable channel to charge $200 a year to people who, if they are honest, only really care about 13 or 26 hours of programming. That, in turn, allows that programming to exist without relying on the willingness of Ford to sponsor it, Walmart to sell it, or the largest possible audience to buy it.

Enthusiasm enables grass-roots advocacy and humbling, stunning generosity. It enables viciousness and vileness and insufferable, status-conscious posturing. It feeds quixotic missions to obtain, as well as a sense of towering entitlement to possess: if you care about it, if you want it, and if you believe in it, you're entitled to have it. And if nobody offers it to you on the terms you're looking for, you can freely obtain it however you like with a clear conscience, because your desire for it is about love and not business, so their offering it should be about love and not business.[/quote]

...Explains SH so much.

[lazyguy]

Why do Americans whoop so much?

[Overwatch 7]

Thanks for posting, that article explored some interesting topics.

[Swilly]

There's actually a single paragraph or two that I want Yawmen to read.

[misguided]

This article made some really interesting points, but I'm not sure how I feel about the approach they're taking. Are they trying to say that the indignation that enthusiasts feel isn't genuine, or that it's misplaced? Assuming the latter, what are they proposing is a proper course for enthusiasts to take?

I guess ultimately the question I'm left with is, how can we bridge the gap between broad and narrowcasting? Is that possible?

[Missing User]

I've been aware of the "Fake"ness and way that hype and enthusiasm is generated for a long, long time. I hope this raises more awareness of the way that our psyche works with this type of stuff.

[Swilly]

[QUOTE=1STrandomman;43257957]This article made some really interesting points, but I'm not sure how I feel about the approach they're taking. Are they trying to say that the indignation that enthusiasts feel isn't genuine, or that it's misplaced? Assuming the latter, what are they proposing is a proper course for enthusiasts to take?

I guess ultimately the question I'm left with is, how can we bridge the gap between broad and narrowcasting? Is that possible?[/QUOTE]

I think the article is actually just calling attention to it as we've seen a rise in power with people who have minority voices both of those going for progress and of those...not...going for progress.

[Jax Strife]

Oh man, I love Linda Holmes. Thanks for posting a lot of the more interesting NPR articles Swilly, not sure why I never thought to before.

[Diet Kane]

[QUOTE=lazyguy;43251932]Why do Americans whoop so much?[/QUOTE]

why do brits count the bongs of big ben instead of using a watch?