The Cult of the Amateur by

In 'The Cult of the Amateur', Andrew Keen, a seasoned Silicon Valley insider, delivers a hard-hitting critique of the participatory Web 2.0 era. He contends that the rise of user-generated content, while democratizing information, undermines the quality and originality that professional creators bring to the table. Keen's provocative arguments shed light on the unintended consequences of the digital age, questioning the value of amateur contributions in an increasingly crowded online space. /n/nKeen's polemic is not just a critique but also a call to action, urging readers to reconsider the balance between accessibility and quality in the digital realm. By examining the broader implications of Web 2.0, he invites a deeper conversation about the future of creativity and innovation in the age of the internet.

Reviews

Julian Dunn's Blog · Julian Dunn · 2009-11-11

negative 2.00

The book was a disappointment, with a strong argument undermined by a lack of depth and nuance. The reviewer feels that the book oversimplifies the complex issues it raises.

Julian Dunn found the book disappointing, feeling that it oversimplifies the complex issues surrounding amateur content online. While he acknowledges that there is a strong argument to be made about amateurs undermining curated culture, he feels that the book fails to explore these issues with the depth and nuance they deserve. The reviewer suggests that the book's arguments are often simplistic and lack the depth needed to fully address the topic.

Quick quotes

Keen's book was a disappointment.

There is an exceedingly strong argument to be made about amateurs undermining and devaluing a culture that's curated, but Keen doesn't make it.

The book often feels like a rant rather than a thoughtful exploration of the issues.

New Scientist · 2007-07-11

mixed 3.00

The book presents thought-provoking arguments and entertaining factoids, but it also contains logical inconsistencies and non-sequiturs. The writing is engaging, but the arguments can be flawed.

This review highlights the book's engaging writing style and thought-provoking arguments, which make it an interesting read. However, it also points out that the book contains logical inconsistencies and non-sequiturs that weaken its overall impact. The reviewer appreciates the entertaining factoids and the way the book stimulates discussion, but they also feel that the arguments could be more coherent and well-supported.

Quick quotes

The book is often well written, presenting thought-provoking arguments and entertaining factoids, but it is also full of non-sequiturs,

Keen's arguments are not always well supported, and he sometimes leaps from one point to another without proper justification.

Despite its flaws, the book is a valuable contribution to the debate about the impact of the internet on our culture.

BBC · 2007-06-05

positive 4.00

The author expresses concern about the impact of online amateurism on values, economy, and creativity. The book argues that the digital revolution has led to a proliferation of unreliable and shoddy content.

The BBC review focuses on the author's concerns about the destructive impact of online amateurism. They note that the book argues convincingly that the digital revolution has led to an avalanche of amateur content that threatens our values, economy, and ultimately innovation and creativity. The reviewer appreciates the book's bold stance and its timely exploration of the challenges posed by the internet's participatory culture.

Quick quotes

The author expresses his concern for the profligacy of online amateurism, spawned by the digital revolution.

This, he feels, has had a destructive impact on our values, economy, and ultimately innovation and creativity itself.

Keen's arguments are compelling and timely, making this book a important contribution to the debate about the internet's impact on society.

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Technology & Innovation (list) - Best Business Books