Comments on: Andrew Keen wants to be the web’s Simon Cowell http://simondickson.wordpress.com/2007/09/04/andrew-keen-wants-to-be-the-webs-simon-cowell/ The former home of Simon's blog on news, politics and e-government. Now at puffbox.com. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 06:28:40 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: iamkeir http://simondickson.wordpress.com/2007/09/04/andrew-keen-wants-to-be-the-webs-simon-cowell/#comment-23995 iamkeir Wed, 12 Sep 2007 10:57:41 +0000 http://simondickson.wordpress.com/2007/09/04/andrew-keen-wants-to-be-the-webs-simon-cowell/#comment-23995 I never made it along to the event because I watched the Keen vs Weinberger video and came to similar conclusions as those who attended this talk - the fundamentals of his argument seem worth hearing, but his delivery falls massively short through his lack of clarity and aggressive negativity. I wanted to hear a man argue coherently and passionately, and potentially have me challenge my own views - but instead, since he is turning himself into a sensationalist cowell-esque brand as you rightly mentioned, I think I would only gain frustration. How high was his trouser line?? :) I never made it along to the event because I watched the Keen vs Weinberger video and came to similar conclusions as those who attended this talk – the fundamentals of his argument seem worth hearing, but his delivery falls massively short through his lack of clarity and aggressive negativity.

I wanted to hear a man argue coherently and passionately, and potentially have me challenge my own views – but instead, since he is turning himself into a sensationalist cowell-esque brand as you rightly mentioned, I think I would only gain frustration.

How high was his trouser line?? :)

]]> By: David Wilcox http://simondickson.wordpress.com/2007/09/04/andrew-keen-wants-to-be-the-webs-simon-cowell/#comment-23444 David Wilcox Wed, 05 Sep 2007 10:47:54 +0000 http://simondickson.wordpress.com/2007/09/04/andrew-keen-wants-to-be-the-webs-simon-cowell/#comment-23444 I too was frustrated by the event. It reminded me that talking about the impacts or choices of technologies without being specific about the setting and users is a waste of time. I believe people went in for similar broad brush generalisation about the impact of photography, radio, cinema,TV etc. It all depends. The most telling comment for me came from (I think) Phil Harding who said it was a false debate - we need a mix of different media to suit whatever we are trying to do. The 18th century format of the RSA Great Room lecture theatre/platform/chairperson didn't help. In a discussion about user generated content putting your hand up to ask for permission to speak is ... well ... frustrating. I couldn't stick it to the end. I too was frustrated by the event. It reminded me that talking about the impacts or choices of technologies without being specific about the setting and users is a waste of time. I believe people went in for similar broad brush generalisation about the impact of photography, radio, cinema,TV etc. It all depends.
The most telling comment for me came from (I think) Phil Harding who said it was a false debate – we need a mix of different media to suit whatever we are trying to do.
The 18th century format of the RSA Great Room lecture theatre/platform/chairperson didn’t help. In a discussion about user generated content putting your hand up to ask for permission to speak is … well … frustrating. I couldn’t stick it to the end.

]]>