Current TV - WTF???

[tcfrogs]

Granted, I'm on the tail end of the 18-34 spectrum, but this is downright boring and pointless television.

I'm not advocating Gore should be doing the anti-Fox thing, but this network and programming thus far is ridiculous.

Is this going anywhere to advance progressive causes? I'm not giving up, just wondering what you all think.

[devilgrrl]

1. Haven't seen much of it myself

this thread is talking about it: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4244193&mesg_id=4244193

[tcfrogs]

4. Saw that thread already - thanks

But I still don't get it - me too old, I guess. :(

[Tux]

2. I haven't seen it

But the basic concept is interesting from a sociological view. People will produce material based on what is important to them. If enough people submit content (good random sampling), Dems can get a view of what Americans are thinking and what occupies their minds. I'd love to see it. I get all geeky over social science crap.

As mid 18-35, I think it'd change TV IF it survives the year.

[tcfrogs]

7. But...if people produce what's important to them

Does that automatically mean it's important to everyone? It's a nice thought, but I've seen very little other than fluff. Not writing it off, just saying.

[Tux]

20. No

But taking a large sample should show what is important to a society. Not all members would agree in a pluristic society as America but it would be interesting to see what Current evolves into.

[merwin]

3. You probably don't like cable public access channels either, huh?

[KharmaTrain]

11. Public Access Can Be Amusing

I've seen some very interesting viewing on those channels over the years. Most are unintentional...but it's like going past a car wreck...you hate to look, but you're compelled to.

I tried Current over it's first 24 hours and agree with the others here who either don't "get it". Reminds me of watching a bunch of film class final projects.

[merwin]

16. Hopefully it will attract enough attention to get some real film students

and professionals involved :-)

The good part about it is that if you don't enjoy the content, submit your own!

[1932]

17. So, Current TV thinks that the problem with PA TV is no commercials?

???

[KharmaTrain]

19. I'm As Puzzled As You

This was one of those things I kept watching hoping there'd be something I would find interesting.

But then it's still early. There were those who laughed at the idea of "showing records on TV" or doing nothing but the news...vision takes time. I just wish I knew what the focus is.

[snowbear]

5. Haven't seen it... only the website..

Google is heavily invested in the new program though and they hope it will eventually take off.

Give it a little time.. it will either take off or fizzle out..

Hopefully (for Gore and Google) it will find its niche. :bounce:

[1932]

6. Months ago he said it wouldn't be about politics

But it sounds like it's very commercial and very insulting to its viewer's intelligence (in that it presumes a very short attention span and offers superficial analysis).

Is that a fair assessment?

[tcfrogs]

8. Based upon the couple of hours I've seen, yes

Good assessment.

I don't want it to fail...I'm just puzzled by the lack of vision. Or even an intent.

[AlGore-08.com]

10. Just curious... what did you think of the Internet when you first saw it?

Most people I knew thought the Internet was pretty dumb when they first saw it... most of them now blog and/or podcast...

[1932]

13. The internet was not commercialized or dumbed down for its audience.

It was the opposite.

[tcfrogs]

14. I thought it was the devil's playground

You know, porn and more porn.... :)

SERIOUSLY, I swear - it's been far more enlightening than I expected. Like I said in the original post, I'm not giving up, just confused, okay?

[Tesha]

22. Sounds like it's geared perfectly to Americans!

> it presumes a very short attention span and offers superficial analysis

Sounds like it's geared perfectly to Americans!

Tesha

[1932]

23. It would be less cynical to try to lift up people or meet them half way

rather than to lower your expectations and make only the most superficial effort to inform and educate.

[Tesha]

24. Ah yes. As the Democrats have been doing for decades.

> It would be less cynical to try to lift up people or meet them
> half way rather than to lower your expectations and make only
> the most superficial effort to inform and educate.

Ah yes. As the Democrats have been doing for decades, with the
predictable result that they lose election after election to
people who state things in much simpler terms such as "Cut
taxes!", "Don't let liberals tell you what to do!", and
thinly-veiled versions of "Hate minorities!".

Maybe it's time we stopped trying to give long, boring,
carefully-nuanced messages and got down to the Republicans'
level of discourse? "Eat the rich!" might be a good start.

Tesha

[AlGore-08.com]

9. It's not designed to be political, but folks can use it politically

25% of the content is created by the users; folks vote on potential content on Current's website. It could be used politically if folks can make progressive mini-documentaries and submit them to Current. But conservatives can also submit conservative documentaries and folks can submit non-political material. The channel can be as banal or as deep as people want to make it.

It's like the Internet in that way. ;)

[tcfrogs]

12. Thanks

So when can I tune in to the internet porn stuff?:hide:

[wli]

15. grab a videocamera, film something worthy, and send it in

That's what you're supposed to do with it. I think, anyway.

[applegrove]

18. Remember how it took AAR a little bit to hit a routine with listeners.

Give it time.

[musiclawyer]

21. Current TV is brilliant.. In fact I liked much of what I saw....But

it doesn't matter how dumb or superficial or uninteresting the "pods" are to "you" right now. What matters is the idea. Lots of very smart, unsuperficial and interesting people out there will start making really good pods about, say.... black box voting, Valerie Plame, uh...maybe a little short on Swift Boat Vets.......... If Current has good editors and makes a balanced selection of hip pods to keep the young people tuned in, you'll be seeing a breakthrough in how real news is delivered, to the the shock and dismay of MSM.

[Swamp Rat]

25. I agree

It's the future... it's OUR future.

At one time I was just a mild-mannered, luddite classical guitarist, but now I'm into the podcasting thing and the newest wave of computer electronics! :D

[marions ghost]

26. the concept is good

so I'm going to give it a chance before judging. Right now I'm more critical of the presentation than content. It's exciting that the content will actually reflect the culture rather than being canned, homogenized and pasteurized.

Watching this channel you feel like you're in a stream of flotsam and random stuff is floating by. After awhile I find that constant movement irritating and wish they'd change the rhythm--insert some longer slower segments in between the relentless roulette wheel of
short clips. Vary the tempo.

For me this has to do with the overall rhythm of kaleidoscopic images being flipped across your retinas. You know how when you play with a kaleidoscope eventually it gets tiresome and you just want to stop and focus on a single pattern? That's why some of the newer commercials that get real slow at times get your attention--because there's variation in the speed and focus of visual info.