In his article, “You know nothing, John Doe!” R. S. King claims that despite the increased availability of information in the information age, the public remains ignorant or misinformed of relevant and important facts. For this, the author blames the media, both social and traditional, deliberately presenting certain people, cultures, or locales in a warped light. Discussing primarily social and cultural issues in this context, King exclusively focuses on the negatives, ignoring the positive aspects of the better availability of information the current technology can provide. However, technological and media advancements allow people to do more than obsess over celebrity gossip or research questionable materials.
While some do use their access to information this way, others pursue higher-quality information and contacts, and use their media-enabled knowledge and reach to leave a positive impact on the world. Often, these positive influences focus on exactly the kind of coverage King finds lacking: cultural and social issues. Actively and directly engaging with the people from those same other cultures or regions traditional media presents in a one-sided manner is easier than it ever was.
Thus, the same groups that were up until recently completely foreign and unknowable to the average person are now a Google search away. To some, it would not have been possible without the increased access to information. If there is a way to combat the media-instilled prejudices, it is the very same media King blames for perpetuating them. The world is now closer than ever to the United Nations’ description of “global village.” King, however, blames the same forces that make the world tighter and more connected for misinforming and misleading people. The article focuses on the negative aspects of media while completely ignoring their positive effects.