Article Reflection No. 45 (3/18/2023)

Article:

Whither Cultural Critics?

Reflection:

Although technological advances such as the internet has allowed more people to access reviews, they have negatively impacted the realm of critiques as a decreased number of opinionated works are from true experts. For example, according to the article “Whither Cultural Critics?” by Adam Waytz, given how the internet allows quick and convenient access to the works of music and literature, even allowing leaks of those productions before their publication dates, “[the] ability for anyone with a fast wireless connection to obtain an entire…discography or the entire compendium of…episodes means that anyone can dig deep into a particular body of work”(Waytz, 4). Since the wider accessibility means that more of those of varying demographics and socio-economic statuses can now easily obtain these productions and share their own opinions, some may argue that the internet has benefited the world of critiques. However, since experts in critiques have had to have access to the works in order to evaluate them and bring insightful perspective to the audience, this evidence conveys how the internet has devalued the work of critics, making others believe that the profession can be done by anyone, anywhere. The devaluing shows how few critics are true experts since more people can view the resources whose previously-exclusive access had constituted the definition of an expert critic . In the same article, Waytz emphasizes on crowdsourcing (which pertains to the practice of collecting information from the audience which ultimately helps shape the critic’s works), referring to how “initial up-vote led to increased subsequent up-voting whereas an initial down-vote increased down-voting” when it came to showing one’s approval (or dissent) to comments on articles (Waytz 8). Given how this experiment conveys the impact of others’ opinions on the opinions of an individual, it suggests that the internet, a main source by which global communities are able to share their sentiments, has helped nurture this “bandwagon” effect where majority vote is viewed as the “right” one. Thus, the works of expert critics would become few as the critiques are more likely to become a reflection of the audience-favored perspective.

(The Chronicle Review)