Telepocalypse

Old media, old problems

Take a look at this story over at BBC News on Comcast and Microsoft.

The intersting thing is what isn’t in the story. Failing to mention that Microsoft is a major Comcast shareholder transforms the meaning of the article. As written it seems like Microsoft have persuaded Comcast to use MS software in set top boxes based on the merits of the product. Armed with the extra knowledge of who owns whom, it doesn’t quite look the same way.

But don’t fret. There are a whole bunch of browser annotation systems evolving out there. Soon, when you read some old media news article, all puffed up with editorial gravitas, you’ll automatically see the key blogosphere commentary alongside. Then you’ll get the real story, fully fact-checked. Media revolution, edge style.

And if you think this is subversive, wait until we start annotating all their streaming TV and radio media. Oh. Sorry, can’t do that, it breaks the law. The two-way TV set is stillborn. Murdered in the womb.

Pity we threw away our free speech just to flog a few black DRM-infected boxes sitting under the telly. But then again, since I quit watching TV fifteen years ago, I’ll keep on hoping the weblog pen is mightier than the camcorder sword.