Comments on: Web 2.0 — The Vital Echo Chamber http://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2008/04/28/web-20-as-echo-chamber-is-that-a-criticism/ What's Hot & What's Cooking in Scholarly Publishing - from the Society for Scholarly Publishing Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:43:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: David Crotty http://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2008/04/28/web-20-as-echo-chamber-is-that-a-criticism/#comment-179 David Crotty Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:07:45 +0000 http://scholarlykitchen.wordpress.com/?p=74#comment-179 Thanks for the comments. I think it really depends on what you're calling an "echo". If it's a reference to something or someone else online, particularly one that adds original thought or commentary (as you've done here) then it's something to be celebrated. The type of "echo" I think she's referring to, and one that's often seen in the world of science blogging, is more in reference to the closed, circular world that continues on in a reinforcing loop. I think blogging, and Web 2.0 in particular, selects for a particular personality type. Those who enjoy participating tend to flock together, which creates the false impression of a wider consensus, which is then looped ad infinitum until you're left with a skewed view of reality. You end up more with cheerleading and evangelism than you do reasoned critical thinking. Shirky himself has attempted to address some of her comments (particularly the one about "people with too much time") here: http://www.herecomeseverybody.org/2008/04/looking-for-the-mouse.html Thanks for the comments. I think it really depends on what you’re calling an “echo”. If it’s a reference to something or someone else online, particularly one that adds original thought or commentary (as you’ve done here) then it’s something to be celebrated. The type of “echo” I think she’s referring to, and one that’s often seen in the world of science blogging, is more in reference to the closed, circular world that continues on in a reinforcing loop. I think blogging, and Web 2.0 in particular, selects for a particular personality type. Those who enjoy participating tend to flock together, which creates the false impression of a wider consensus, which is then looped ad infinitum until you’re left with a skewed view of reality. You end up more with cheerleading and evangelism than you do reasoned critical thinking.

Shirky himself has attempted to address some of her comments (particularly the one about “people with too much time”) here:
http://www.herecomeseverybody.org/2008/04/looking-for-the-mouse.html

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