Raw Bytes Computer News KPBX FM 91.1 Spokane Public Radio National Public Radio Network Frank Delaney Producer Broadcast on Wednesday Morning 7:35 AM During Morning Edition Support Public Radio ! The Theater Of the Mind

In computer news this week 04/30/2008 Is the internet killing our culture ? I’ll be reviewing a new book about the internet that I really like on an upcoming show – it’s called The Cult of the Amateur by Andrew Keen, and its theme is “How today’s internet is killing our culture”. As an intro to this book review, I’m doing another show on What people really look for and do on the internet in 2008 Ah the internet. You have access to the great libraries of the world. English literature, the classics, great plays, Shakespeare, all at your fingertips. Listen to classical music, hear operas, read the great novels of the world online, view the art masterpieces, what a wonderful educational world. Unfortunately, it appears not too many people are doing that on the internet. In fact it appears that the topics people are searching for mirror television, the movies, sports and pop culture. You may form your own opinions as to what visitors from another planet might say about this top 20 list, after the concept of the internet "as a great educational tool - similar to television's introduction " is explained to them. Here's the top 20 topics people were searching  for on Yahoo last week starting with #1. Helen Hunt – the actress – I like her NFL – guys watching the draft Miley Cyrus – a current photo by Annie Liebowitz has shattered her fan’s achey breaky hearts. Webkinz world – I never heard of these – the latest craze of plush pet-rock types that have a secret code. Hi-5 – still another new online social network IRS – people still doing tax work Nascar – here they come again World Wrestling Entertainment – our first truly schlocky search, huge brutes breaking tables with other huge brutes NBA –g uys watching the playoffs Limewire – a new file-sharing site Club Penguin – a safe online community for children Britney Spears – Hollywood bad girl - in 2003 she was #7 and had been as high as #3 in previous years. Rune Scape – an online adventure game Jessica Alba – I don’t know who she is, but then again I had never heard of Britney Spears back then Naruto – a new animine cartoon network Big brother – the reality tv series Fanny Ardant – another actress I’ve never heard of Demi Moore – ok I do know who she is Mariah Carey – I know she’s a singer Lindsey Lohan – another Hollywood bad girl Most significant dropoff from the Top 20 list – The Bible ... And to this list we pose the question “Is the internet is killing our culture ?”

For Raw Bytes This is Frank Delaney (C) 2008 MTA Micro Technology Associates http://www.mtamicro.com/kpbx.html PO Box 31522 Spokane, Wa 99223-1522 (509)624-7230 mailto:frank@mtamicro.com