CLAY SHIRKY interviewed by Decca Aitkenhead in the Guardian G2 Monday 5th July 2010.

CLAY SHIRKY teaches new media at New York University and is the author of 'Here Comes Everybody: How Change Happens When People Come Together.' He appears on the BBC's 'Virtual Revolution' documentary and is considered to be a key academic voice when considering the impact of digital technology. Shirky views the internet as an incredibly positive medium and he believes that its existence is responsible for, as Aitkenhead states, ' [removing] the barrier to universal participation, and [revealing] that human beings would rather be creating and sharing than passively consuming what a privileged elite think they should watch.'

Shirky believes that the internet is creating a more democratic world. He expresses his views relating to the Paywall Debate and obviously this is a key media issue. Murdoch's recent paywall constructed to protect the online News at The Times should be a key consideration in any contemporary media classroom.

Click on link below to access Shirky's G2 interview. Be aware of the reader comments at the conclusion of the article:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/jul/05/clay-shirky-internet-television-newspapers

Here is a blog from the Guardian that challenges the views of Shirky. Click on link below:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/organgrinder/2010/jul/01/clay-shirky-television-vs-internet

YOU TUBE SHIRKY. Click on links below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3EDFRa6JNc&feature=fvst

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw-veBAFHXM

There are numerous clips of Shirky on YOU TUBE. I would advise you to access the above links and then conduct your own navigation of Shirky material. HE IS AN IMPORTANT VOICE WHEN CONSIDERING THE IMPACT OF THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION. HE IS APPROPRIATE STUDY FOR MEST 3 at A2 and may inform MEST 4 coursework content.