Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

The rise of the amateur professionals

By Melody Ayres-Griffiths - posted Wednesday, 25 July 2012


But is this trend really a bad thing? So much of the artistic world -- photography, music, television, writing, food, etc. -- has traditionally been the domain of critics and other gatekeepers who hardly ever chose who met success based on the true quality of their work, but instead did so using arbitrary criteria not entirely divorced from their own self-interests.

Those who think that somehow the public has 'lost their standards', that anyone who succeeds outside of the 'conventional' models is not deserving of that success is a little more than a pickled dinosaur, stuffed with sour-grapes -- now there's a dish for you -- and will soon find themselves consigned to the rubbish-pile of history along with all those professions that have cruised through life trading in 'arcane secrets' that would scarcely fill up a pamphlet on time-shares.

The truth is, this is the age of the new renaissance, the second-enlightenment of the intelligent, diverse individual. Expensive, traditional modes of education, and the proliferation of trade 'specialisation' in an effort to balance society 'equitably' regardless of true skill or talent has been the order of the last hundred years, but the digital age is quickly putting an end to that failed experiment.

Advertisement

What does all of this mean? Does this mean a new hegemony? Will there eventually be a new divide, a gulf between the savvy and the savvy-less? Will those who continue to strive to try new things and learn new skills eventually become the new ruling elite?

Or, does it simply mean that people will be forced to lift their game?

The rise of the amateur professionals will inevitably lead to the death of mediocrity, but to spare yourself, you need only not be mediocre. Start learning.

Start now.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

4 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Melody Ayres-Griffiths is a lesbian libertarian living in country Victoria, and a contributor to ABC's The Drum.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Melody Ayres-Griffiths

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Melody Ayres-Griffiths
Article Tools
Comment 4 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy