NEW YORK – Prominent media pundit Jeff Jarvis, former TV critic and creator of Entertainment Weekly, has penned a new book, The Web We Weave: Why We Must Reclaim the Internet from Moguls, Misanthropes, and Moral Panic. The book, set to be published on December 5, delves into the evolving dynamics of the internet, the dangers of overregulation, and the influence of tech moguls and moral panic on online freedoms.
Jarvis, who spent over two decades studying and teaching new media, warns against the regulatory pressures and corporate overreach that he believes threaten the internet’s core freedoms. “Somebody has to defend the freedoms of the internet because I fear they’re under attack,” he said. “Moral panic over the net will lead to regulation that affects freedoms for all.”
The Media’s Turn Against the Internet
Jarvis critiques the media’s role in fueling what he calls a “moral panic” over big tech, attributing it partly to competition for audiences and advertising dollars. He highlights the failures of media moguls like Rupert Murdoch in adapting to the digital age, which he believes have driven negative narratives about the internet.
On Social Media and Marginalized Communities
While acknowledging that social media amplifies divisive voices, Jarvis emphasizes its power to unite marginalized communities. “The internet enabled communities to come together in a way they could not gather because they were not heard in mass media,” he said, referencing scholars of Black Twitter as examples of such empowerment.
Debunking the “Surveillance Capitalism” Critique
Jarvis takes issue with critics like Shoshana Zuboff, who coined the term “surveillance capitalism.” He argues that conflating targeted advertising with government surveillance trivializes the latter’s real dangers. “To characterise advertising cookies as surveillance is offensive and overblown,” Jarvis stated.
Thoughts on AI and Tech Moguls
On artificial intelligence, Jarvis is more concerned about the motivations of tech executives than the technology itself. “The AI boys have corrupted the language around it,” he said, warning that safety concerns about bias, fraud, and environmental impact are overshadowed by doomsday rhetoric.
Jarvis also touched on the political leanings of Silicon Valley billionaires and their growing influence. He noted the shift of some moguls to the political right and expressed concern over their impact on public discourse and internet governance.
A Vision for Reclaiming the Internet
In his book, Jarvis proposes reducing the dominance of technologists and making the internet more accessible. “Printers and radio operators once held all the power, but history shows that their dominance eventually faded,” he noted. He foresees AI tools empowering individuals to interact with technology without reliance on coders, leading to a democratized internet.
The Web We Weave will be available for purchase on December 5 from Basic Books.