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Much of our classroom discussion over the last semester was premised on the future of “old media”, especially newspapers, which are currently hemorrhaging funds. We came to a general consensus that they may transform into something resembling an online content portal/filter, coasting off of their huge brand for readership. Many speculate that this will generate enough income to sustain pieces of “traditional journalism” into the future. As we speculate, we wait for something big to happen – a giant to fall. For better or worse, it may happen sooner than you think.

Throughout the semester, we analyzed a handful of trends like these – from the supersonic two-hour news cycle of this last election to Clay Shirky‘s tagline, “the power of organizing without organizations”. We observed how blogs were pushing stories to the forefront of traditional media and how investigations from these traditional sources trickled down to the partisan blogs as evidence that fit into their distinct frame.

Although we covered so much in our lectures, readings, posts, and discussions, looking back, I feel that we took an important aspect of our changing media world for granted. That is, how does an individual consumer of information fit into all of this? How does this changing landscape affect our responsibility to ourselves and each other as consumers?

On the first day of class, Alex had us take the Gladwell Test, to see whether we were “connectors” – people with a certain threshold of connections to others, vital for networking. A related topic is that of the thought leader, someone who has a substantial intellectual influence on the people in his or her life. Some of us were dubbed “connectors”, but many of us weren’t. However, due to our shared interest in politics and world affairs, I’m willing to bet we all influence (read: we’re thought leaders) for our friends and family on a day to day basis.

Similar to how many of us see the future of the newspaper as a filter, we are information filters to many of the people in our lives. It’s an enormous responsibility for citizens of a democracy – one we should take seriously. In addition to talk over dinner, much of the technology we discussed all semester enables us to pass stories, comments, and opinions on to others. Although many of us will cease blogging after the semester ends, it’s trivial to continue. Microblogging sites like Twitter or features like the status message of Facebook make it effortless, perhaps even addicting.

In one of my favorite books, The Assault on Reason, former Vice-President Al Gore argues that democracy is only sustainable in a nation with a healthy marketplace of ideas, where information flows freely and the citizenry can discern the media’s intent. Clearly, information flows more freely than ever. The two traditional barriers to the consumption of information in our democracy, money and time, have been diminished. The financial barrier has collapsed as ads take the place of subscriptions, and as cellphones get smarter, we’re more connected than ever.

However, as Kevin begins to ask in his final post, are we better off? With content slanted to specific viewpoints, you can get any story framed exactly the way you want it. The potential for niche blogs to contribute to extreme political polarization is frightening, and therefore, we must be vigilant in our individual efforts to avoid this pitfall.

As a result, I propose that each of us forms our own media and information consumption strategy. Throughout our lives, we’ve been taught study, fitness, and organizational strategies. Yet, I’m confident that I’m not the only person who was never formally educated on achieving contemporary eclecticism.

My advice on this subject is in no way profound or original, but circumstances make it worthy of writing here:

Read. Read a lot. Read a lot from many sources.

Sure, you can read sites that share your personal political views. And yes, it’s great to read elite media or non-partisan blogs for analysis of complicated situations. But, why not try subscribing to a feed whose content you normally disagree with? Assuming it doesn’t inspire you to violence, you will learn more about yourself and the world than you could by solely reading what you want to read.

Today, you’re the media outlet. Remember, you’re more important to your friends and family than most newspapers and TV shows. Develop and challenge your worldview by reading dissenting opinion. Subsequently, go out and be the filter you want to see in the world. Perhaps you’ll accumulate some followers who trust you to help shape the person they’re becoming; enjoy the power, but use it wisely.