David Carr’s article on movie maker M dot Strange shows clear transition in the direction of media distribution. While M dot Strange’s video, “We Are the Strange,” was shown at the Sundance Film Festival, its major followers did not even need to leave their homes to view the trailer. With movies, such as this one, appearing on the internet, through You-Tube, even in virtual online communities with their own video centers. Not only is the material reaching out and becoming accessible to more people, but this online culture is allowing greater interaction between the producers and filmmakers, and the audience. In turn, the mainstream, or traditional, models of distribution are being challenged: would you rather watch this movie, or be able to do the same while participating in an online film school started by the film’s director? Which scenario would you gain more from?

The internet has become such a powerful tool for the spreading of information. With all sorts of videos available on You-Tube and online communities such as Second Life, anyone can create a film or introduce their idea. The internet has provided a cheap way for beginning filmmakers, or those with limited resources. To get your idea to reach every corner of the globe, you just need a little time and patience. But there are more than just economic effects to the internet phenomenon. The internet has a great political and cultural impact on the world. While internet is yet to become in developing countries what it is in countries such as the US, it will have great impacts everywhere. No longer will the US be able to have a monopoly on the news distribution (ie CNN), if home-made movies, cell phone videos, and the alike can get the attention of the rest of the world. These new venues are creating choices for the viewers: the no longer have to believe the one source of information, now they can choose and decide for themselves.

I am a senior International Relations concentrator, PED track. I have been able to witness, first hand, the way the CNN effect has affected the way America (among other countries) has viewed different wars. During the bombing of Belgrade in 1999, I was living in Boston, while the rest of my family was in Serbia. I was able to hear what was going on from my relatives and was surprised at how different the two accounts were, and realized that much of the world was only hearing one side. Since then I have always been interested in learning more about how the media can control politics, but have never really had the chance to explore that topic until now.