Practicum Post #2: On Andrew Keen and Media Revolution

In preparation for the Presentation to be given in class, it was suggested that I and those presenting with me examine the words of web scholar Andrew Keen.

Keen believes that the entire Web 2.0 philosophy of user generated content creation and sharing is a sign that there will be a Marxist Media Revolution.  It is a problematic belief to say the least, but his logic is easy to figure out.  Because of the Web 2.0 era, a great mass of people have all been given a substantial amount of power over what media is deemed popular.  Instead of simply deciding what to absorb, they can also interact better with the creators or even create media themselves.  Keen theorizes that within a few decades there may no longer be any official media producers and distributors, but rather all popular media will come from the assorted masses and distributed through Web 2.0 style methods.

I take issue with Keen on this point.  In my time using YouTube as an opinion blogger, it has come to my attention that YouTube is not entirely pure when it comes to being about everyday regular people use.  Over the last few years, the presence of official channels for major media producers on YouTube has greatly increased.  With this the restrictions against the use of copyrighted material has also increased.  It is very unlikely that you could find a music video for a popular music artist that is not on an official VEVO channel and preceded by some type of ad.  And it seems as though every time a nobody on YouTube gets popular enough they get gobbled up by a major conglomerate in a manner no different from the methods outside the Web.

So as a point of discussion for my presentation in discussion section I ask you: Since Major Media Conglomerates have built up a presence on YouTube will there be a place for the little guys to gain popularity without being absorbed by the elite?  And do you think YouTube opens up society and media to a marxist free-for-all?