Slashdot Mirror
Why the Web Mustn't Become the New TV
An anonymous reader writes "This article argues that Rupert Murdoch's bid to own complete control of BSkyB is only part of an ongoing process to make the internet a totally 'linear' experience. The increase in the use of paginated content and the proliferation of video over transcribed interviews are, the author argues, part of a tidal shift from a browsable internet experience to a linear one that will move the user's experience of media from genuine choice to a series of locked-down 'information rides,' in order to re-secure advertising exposure. The author also writes, 'Current worries among publishing houses that magazines and newspapers will succumb to the digital written word on the internet are perhaps analogous to Victorian fears about mechanical horses taking over from real horses in the drawing of carriages. The point is being missed, the wrong fear being indulged.'"
What's really scary is the possibility that we are getting this very same thing from google-bing. Well not to the level of eliminating global warming or eliminating open source; but some bit of censorship of making it more difficult to find some things or eliminate. In addition to the known government censorship and malware/cp censorship.
Thats why after Murdoch owns about 85% of all media companies, he plans to turn his attention to the internet service providers, so that he can charge extra for sites people like by putting them in premium tiered space that requires a $350-$400 monthly charge to access them. Oh yes, in principle you will be able to get them for "free" as you do now, but in reality the lower/cheaper tier will be made so slow that you won't be able to load a page in less than a minute.