This is a good talk Andrew Keen gives at Google (not sure if its at the Googleplex). He discusses his book, The Cult of the Amateur: How Today’s Internet is Killing Our Culture. I heard that he had criticism of where I work, but he didn’t mention it during the talk. I might have to go get the book.

I have to agree that determining the line between content and advertising is getting more difficult by the day, especially on Web 2.0 sites. Although a member of the audience claimed that today’s teenagers are among the most cynical of all people, and are skeptical of all media delivered to them so as to be untouched by these masquerading advertisers, I agree with Mr. Keen here.

Skepticism of all media does not increase ones ability to discern truthful media vs. advertising, or sponsored media. It promotes media illiteracy. I think the inevitable result is that the youth who cannot tell the difference simply turn off the media and sink into their elaborate social networks.

Regardless of your position on the matter, its a video worth watching.