By Terry S Vostor
The power of opinion and its influence upon society has been for that for two millennium, always an issue of debate. Is it good or bad? The internet affords the easy availability of information to almost anyone and everyone, in a most democratic manner.
With a simple website, or even a rank communications internet “Nube” can be almost a communications giant. Look at the effect, the following, and the money earned by simple “Mommy Bloggers”. Again the question is this good or bad, a phenomenon or a downright plague? In essence it is “nothing new”, just human nature and communication with new and newer tools.
It might be said that the earliest medium for disseminating opinion, was for the most part and parts the “rostrum”, which obtained a peak in power and prestige during the fifth century B.C., when the ancient Hellenistic government encouraged citizens to speak before the popular Assembly in Athens. Anyone who could legally and intellectually command an audience was allowed to articulate their thoughts and beliefs.
But the orators, especially those leaders who appeared on a regular basis before the Assembly, were held responsible for the effect of their rhetoric. Any speaker who was suspected of offering what might be considered “immoral” opinions or what might be considered “questionable” advice to the people could, under the laws of the time and rulings of the “land”, be impeached and prohibited from appearing before the Assembly. They were therefore denied the very freedom to speak, because opinion, whether it was a mere personal prejudice or a relatively authoritative judgment, is pointless without clear implication through effective means of dissemination.
The orator who addresses an empty hall is unlikely to motivate action or inaction. The newspaper editorial writer, whose material or materials are never published and thus distributed cannot cure a public ill, or affect worldwide opinion or opinions. In the same manner a newscaster cannot spread their taint and description on world events and news if not given avenue of the TV or radio networks programming and signal. An author cannot promote and distribute their book or publication if not invited onto the various “Talk Shows” – such as David Letterman, or marketed via newspaper or magazine reviews.
However the internet affords an entirely different situation. Anyone and everyone is offered a “sandbox” a chance to speak on the worldwide “Assembly”, without little review and limited availability. There are few controls. Not cost. Not difficulty of use of the tools of the trade. There is no simple answer to this quandary. Simple as that.
