Zero Comments

by Geert Lovink

In Zero Comments , internationally renowned media theorist and 'net critic' Geert Lovink revitalizes worn out concepts about the Internet and interrogates the latest hype surrounding blogs and social network sites. In this third volume of his studies into critical Internet culture, following the influential Dark Fiber and My First Recession , Lovink develops a 'general theory of blogging.' He unpacks the ways that blogs exhibit a 'nihilist impulse' to empty out established meaning structures. Blogs, Lovink argues, are bringing about the decay of traditional broadcast media, and they are driven by an in-crowd dynamic in which social ranking is a primary concern. The lowest rung of the new Internet hierarchy are those blogs and sites that receive no user feedback or 'zero comments'. Zero Comments also explores other important changes to Internet culture, as well, including the silent globalization of the Net in which the West is no longer the main influence behind new media culture, as countries like India, China and Brazil expand their influence and looks forward to speculate on the Net impact of organized networks, free cooperation and distributed aesthetics.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sociology

340 pages, Paperback

First published August 9, 2007

About the author

Geert Lovink is a Research Professor of Interactive Media at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA) and a Professor of Media Theory at the European Graduate School. Lovinl is the founding director of the Institute of Network Cultures, whose goals are to explore, document and feed the potential for socio-economical change of the new media field through events, publications and open dialogue. As theorist, activist and net critic, Lovink has made an effort in helping to shape the development of the web.

Reviews

[Antonio Gallo · Rating 3 out of 5]

In questi che sono gli anni della "critica della rete", secondo Geert Lovink, si sta sempre più mettendo in discussione il modello economico del Web 2.0. "Perché gli utenti dovrebbero continuare a pubblicare tutti quei dati privati, dai quali una manciata di aziende ricava miliardi di dollari di profitti? Perché dovrebbero cedere gratuitamente i loro contenuti mentre un pugno di imprenditori del Web 2.0 sta guadagnando milioni? Che prezzo siamo disposti a pagare per la gratuità? Perché si usa l'"immaginazione collettiva" per escogitare modelli sostenibili per una cyber-infrastruttura pubblica? E ora di rompere il consenso libertario. E tempo di tornare a essere utopisti e cominciare a edificare una sfera pubblica al di fuori degli interessi a breve termine delle corporation e della volontà di regolamentare dei governi. E ora di investire nell'educazione, ricostruire la fiducia e svincolarsi dalla retorica securitaria post 11 settembre."

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot packed in this book. From Tactical media, to social theory to global media theory. Parts are worth reading for anyone who is interested in thinking about how media is being used in the modern world

[Cassey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me. Abandoned after first chapter.

[Kyla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like social science books that are readable BEYOND the point where you might want to quote them in a paper you're writing.