Love TV and Fear the Internet

Posted on: September 22, 2008 by Syzlak

These are  the words of Barry Sonnenfeld (the man who brought you Wild Wild West and Space Chimps). Uttered last night during his acceptance speech at the Emmy Awards, these words stood out amidst the political discourse that other winners chose to litter their acceptance speeches. What did Sonnenfeld mean when he said these 6 words? Here were my knee jerk reactions:

Barry Sonnenfeld is against free speech

Perhaps, as a respected member of mainstream Hollywood, Sonnenfeld could be fundamentally against the tennets of the First Amendment. Anyone who would caution “fear the Internet,” must be in some way against freedom of speech; afterall, the Internet (Web technically) is simply a soundboard for anyone’s opinions, stories, trivia, or creativity.

Barry Sonnenfeld wants a controlled market

Where there is no Internet, TV would retain its former stranglehold on entertainment. Seriously, before the rise of the Web, who remembers what we used to do every night from 8-11pm? Personally, I would be watching TV for hours. Mindlessly sitting in front of a glowing box, digesting what advertisements and agenda was thrown in front of me. Today, I spend most of my day interacting with others (humans, bots, corporations) on the Web. Choosing which advertisements I want to see, versus which I’d be willing to pay not to see.

Barry Sonnenfeld hates creativity

Name all the decent TV shows that started in the last 5 years. You’ll probably come up with quite a few (if you need help According to Jim started in 2001, so you can’t count that…oh and it’s fucking horrible). Now, compare that with your bookmarks for the last 5 years. Clark and Michael, Homestar Runner, The Legend of Neil – on a quantity scale, the Web wins for me. The creatitvity inherent in a system with fewer rules and regulations, lower cost of development and production, and less reliance on advertising is astounding.  While TV might have better quality from time to time, shows like Arrested Development had a hard time surviving on TV.

In the end, what I realized about Barry Sonnenfeld is this – he doesn’t get it. He’s not probably (hopefully) for or against any of these things; however, he doesn’t get how you could harness the Internet for good. Instead, he rails it from a fear standpoint. Unfortunately for him, it doesn’t look smart, it looks ignorant.

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  • Wow
    I thought it was very odd, Everyone in the room with me looked at each other and said "Huh"? He is advising people to watch the idiot box where you are told what to watch, what to believe and who to hate.
    TV exists to steal your money. The vast majority of things sold on TV are complete junk, often harmful , sometime deadly and benefits no one but the big corporations. In addition to selling us products that harm us, TV exists to brainwash and propagandise you. Former white house press secretary Scoot mcCallen tells about the white house preparing talking points for Fox News which confirms what so many people have suspected for years.

    On the other hand, the Internet is the largest Data base in the world and offers the chance at an education far superior to the best universities. The wisdom of the world in contained within the Internet and available to anyone who wishes to tap into it.

    "Love TV and fear the Internet"? If you are a dumbed down beer sippen sports lovin couch laying thick headed ignorant moron.
    OR if are, like Barry Sonnenfeld, a Jew who hates the fact that the Internet exposes Zionist Jews and their lies murder and trouble making history, then Yes, I guess it's it's a good idea.

  • Classy.

    Isn't it great that I get a supportive and thought out response only to be hidden behind anti-Semetic bullshit?
  • "wow" indeed, right?
  • Devilman676
    T.V...? What's that?
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