Has the internet created a digital world marked by meritocracy and democratised creativity, or has it merely generated a tsunami of uninformed noise? To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Watershed opening its doors in 1982 Mark Cogrove, Watershed’s Head of Programme, introduced and chaired this fascinating and thought-provoking debate, which addressed these questions and more.

The debate centred around the ideas underpinning Andrew Keen’s book The Cult of the Amateur: How Today's Internet is Killing Our Culture, in which he argues that the Internet is blurring the lines between fact and opinion, and the amateur is replacing the professional. Digital Media expert Ana Kronschnabl, and writer/director Hazel Grian provided counter-arguments to Andrew’s thesis, and the debate was followed by audience questions.

Andrew Keen is an entrepreneur, writer, broadcaster and public speaker who authored The Cult of the Amateur: How Today's Internet is Killing Our Culture. The book was an international hit, published in 17 different languages and short-listed for the Higham’s Business Technology Book of the Year award. Andrew is an acclaimed speaker on the international circuit, speaking regularly on the impact of new technology on 21st century business, education and society.

Ana Kronschnabl is CEO and producer at the digital media and computer games company FluffyLogic. She has an MA in TV production and has taught at UWE and Bristol University. Ana is an award-winning filmmaker who has a background in independent film-production, and co-authored of Plug In & Turn On: A Guide to Internet Filmmaking. 

Hazel Grian is a writer, director, and maker of award-winning Alternate Reality Games. Hazel uses digital media to create entertainment and also works commercially with agencies on games for major NGOs, big brands and Hollywood blockbuster movies. Her Alternate Reality Game Meigeist was mentioned in the Government’s white paper on the creative industries, and her game Traces of Hope won the One World Media Award.

Related Links:
Andrew Keen for the Weekly Standard: Web 2.0
FluffyLogic
Hazel Grian
   

 

Posted on Fri 7 Sept 2007.

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