Most of us have watched Michael Wesch's YouTube video The machine is (us)ing us, which by now has secured iconic status - it was a defining moment in our collective understanding of Web 2.0 and participative media. Well, the man recently gave a keynote presentation for the Personal Democracy Forum 2009, entitled: The Machine is (Changing) Us. Mike's presentation centres on YouTube Culture and the 'Politics of Authenticity' (including an analysis of the changes in meaning of the word 'whatever' over the years), features a number of popular cultural landmarks such as the Simpsons and 'Charlie bit me', and is packed full of references to media philosophers such as Neil Postman and Marshall McLuhan. Drawing also upon a cultural study conducted by a group of his own undergraduate students, it is a thought provoking, challenging and truly uplifting speech. Watch the entire half hour and I promise .... you will be inspired.
Note: Mike Wesch is one of our keynote speakers for this year's ALT-C conference in Manchester.
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