Media for the Masses

“The most significant development in publishing from the point of view of literary culture was the growth of the periodical.” (pg 993) The Industrial Revolution brought about many changes especially with the printing press. With a more readily available and cheaper way of producing literature, the exchange of ideas and knowledge could be had by any one. And in our time the same could be said about the Internet. It is open to all. And everyone can read and or comment on anything their hearts desire. As with the advent of publishing, the Internet has opened more opportunities for the free exchange of ideas. For example protests are becoming more organized through the use of social networks. Especially with the use of Smart phones, they are more able to mobilize large groups with the press of a button. Logistical data is just a Tweet or a Facebook update away. These technologies put the ability, even more so today, to act in the hands of everyday folks.

Just as in the Victorian Age with the printing press, the New Millennium technological advances are used by the masses to spread the ideals of each of those time periods. Granted it happens in the blink of an eye now. Both of these time periods are filled with people questioning the ideals of the “status quo,” trying to indoctrinate others to what they see wrong with society at large or to engage them into thinking about their situation or the plight of others. The only difference between then and now is that now our conversations are instantaneous rather than taking months for someone to write and publish their retort. Both technological advances provided an open forum for the exchange of different viewpoints and ideals. And in both cases the public at large has accepted this exchange with open arms.