The Age of Reputation

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2010/07/23/am.internet.culture.interview.cnn

Above is a link to a CNN clip about how the Shirley Sherrod case illustrates "the ability for anyone to ruin someone's life simply by posting something out of context on the Internet." The interviewed author (Andrew Keen) suggests an idea that someone should ultimately be responsible to be the gatekeeper of Internet information, to sort out fact from fiction and support people/companies that fall victim to Internet railroading. In the Sherrod case, the media came to her rescue and preserved her reputation. But in reality, is it practical/plausible/ethical that an assemblage of people actually fills this role? Seems too lofty of a responsibility for mere mortals! And then there’s that pesky First Amendment to deal with.  Al Gore should have seen this coming.

Amy Lancaster
MSMK1