Thus far this debate, if one were so reductive, has fallen into a binary of matters of precedent (re: accordance with 1st, 14th amendments to the US constitution) vs. matters of practicality (my research into the mating habits of nematodes are more important than your MySpage page update) This revisits the idea that liberty is not convienent to others; a whole other discussion. Rather, what I wish to focus on is the sentiment that adolescents (and general folk) utilizing social netowrking sites (case study: MySpace) is less useful than traditional academic research. In my heart I would rather see a sophmore utilizing a terminal to increase their understanding of Iran's nuclear possibility than whether their associate has Fall Out Boy's new album. However, this American marketplace is one that requires knowledge of pop culture for networking in most fields. The likelihood of someone breaking the ice with a coworker or boss is greater when ideas surrounding fictional narratives (tv shows, top 40 music, flash shorts) are presented; rather than discussion of personal forays into the world of literature, history, and research (tradittional library use required). The more likely one can ingratiate oneself with those who hire (approx.70% of jobs are now in the service industry) The more likely you are to become part of the workforce. In the American economy this is more important than depth and breadth of subjects. The market demands are greater for workers who are capable of facilitating cutomer pleasure than those who can debate whether wittgestein was better before or after he refuted himself. If libraries are designed for public access to knowledge, and the public exists in a free market based economic model, and that public has more votes counted for American Idol than the presidental election; then that young one updating their LiveJournal is as valid as anyone looking for Freudian dissection of Jane Eyre.
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Thus far this debate, if one were so reductive, has fallen into a binary of matters of precedent (re: accordance with 1st, 14th amendments to the US constitution) vs. matters of practicality (my research into the mating habits of nematodes are more important than your MySpage page update) This revisits the idea that liberty is not convienent to others; a whole other discussion. Rather, what I wish to focus on is the sentiment that adolescents (and general folk) utilizing social netowrking sites (case study: MySpace) is less useful than traditional academic research. In my heart I would rather see a sophmore utilizing a terminal to increase their understanding of Iran's nuclear possibility than whether their associate has Fall Out Boy's new album. However, this American marketplace is one that requires knowledge of pop culture for networking in most fields. The likelihood of someone breaking the ice with a coworker or boss is greater when ideas surrounding fictional narratives (tv shows, top 40 music, flash shorts) are presented; rather than discussion of personal forays into the world of literature, history, and research (tradittional library use required). The more likely one can ingratiate oneself with those who hire (approx.70% of jobs are now in the service industry) The more likely you are to become part of the workforce. In the American economy this is more important than depth and breadth of subjects. The market demands are greater for workers who are capable of facilitating cutomer pleasure than those who can debate whether wittgestein was better before or after he refuted himself. If libraries are designed for public access to knowledge, and the public exists in a free market based economic model, and that public has more votes counted for American Idol than the presidental election; then that young one updating their LiveJournal is as valid as anyone looking for Freudian dissection of Jane Eyre.