Outgoing CRTC Head Says Technology Is Eroding Canadian Culture 404
Patchw0rk F0g writes "Canada's outgoing CRTC head, Konrad von Finckenstein, has some choice words for his successor: Internet and wireless technology has disarmed federal regulators of their weapons to protect cultural identity. The retiring Finckenstein cites over-the-top broadcasting, new Internet technologies and (perhaps most importantly) the fact that the CRTC is antiquated and can't keep up with these emerging technologies as factors in the (still)-growing culture-loss of Canada to the U.S. 'We have now moved into an era where the consumer is in control, and where thanks to the Internet and mobile devices, you cannot control access any more,' he said in one of his last interviews."
Anachronism (Score:4, Insightful)
Culture loss? (Score:5, Insightful)
Why is the US pointed at as the reason for their culture loss? I'd agree that the internet is causing some culture loss, but you could also counter by saying it is causing culture gains. I know personally my life has been impacted by the culture of different nations due to the readily accessible nature of information on the computer. In my house you would think it more Asian than American due to the internet.
I also see this at my kids school. Both in style of dress and the behavior of the kids.
While I do agree that it is important to know where you come from, I don't think it is wrong to embrace other cultures. In essence isn't that pretty much where all culture stems from, the exchange of ideas?
bad thing? (Score:5, Insightful)
The consumer ( aka normal people) are in control of their own decisions about information and culture?
Oh no, whatever will we do.
Can we end the CRTC already (Score:5, Insightful)
As a Canadian... (Score:5, Insightful)
As a Canadian, here's the solution I'd suggest:
Stop trying to force Canadian content on Canadians!
If the content is good and provides something consumers want then it'll be a success. If it's Canadian-created filler crap then it won't, regardless of how forcefully it's stuffed down our throats.
And don't claim that Canadian content can't be successful on it's own because that's just bullshit. Just look at the music industry to see lots of Canadian content that's successful south of the border for the most glaring example.
Weapons to protect cultural identity? (Score:5, Insightful)
'We have now moved into an era where the consumer is in control, and where thanks to the Internet and mobile devices, you cannot control access any more,' he said in one of his last interviews."
You say that like it's a bad thing, Konrad.
Because Canada has a "little brother" problem (Score:5, Insightful)
Basically Canada is still going through issues trying to figure out what it means to be Canadian. A large part of how many Canadians seem to define themselves as as "not American" hence the "little brother" syndrome I talk about. They are like a little kid who is saying what they are is the things the big kid is not.
This isn't such a problem for the average man on the street, of course, but it is a big issue for the government and various folks. They have a real issue with trying to decide what it is to be Canadian and protecting that. There are even things like laws requiring a certain amount of content on TV and radio to be Canadian in origin.
Re:Canadian "culture"? (Score:4, Insightful)
There is more to it than that; we're more socialist, and less warlike. We have a smaller percentage of visible blowhards among our citizens travelling the world as tourists. We don't have isolationism or protectionism as a political philosophy. We don't (and honestly, couldn't if we wanted to) support puppet dictatorships to further our own ends.
Of course, the USA is a big place. So is Canada. Both countries have a wide variety of cultures within them, and I'm speaking only of the 'international persona' of the two nations.
Also, 'Eh' went out of style a long time ago. And we have milk in bags.
Re:Culture loss? (Score:4, Insightful)
He doesn't claim the US is the cause, it is the symptom of their inability to shield culture from technology.
I think this is why most people in Canada are upset the CRTC even exists to "protect Canadian culture". This backwards notion that culture is static and not subject to disruption is offensive to most Canadians and suspect more than a few Quebecer's within Canada.
Re:Culture loss? (Score:1, Insightful)
Isn't that what the government is for? To spend a little money at the right time to make people happy, help build community and protect individuals? Brilliant!
Uh, no. Ideally, that which governs least governs best. The government exists to protect my basic individual rights such as life, liberty, and the *pursuit* of happiness. Government does not, should not, and cannot *ever* "make people happy." It is up to The People to make *themselves* happy.
A government powerful enough to "make people happy" is powerful enough to make a lot of people unhappy, too.
Re:Culture loss? (Score:4, Insightful)
See! Canada does have a distinct culture. Your attitude wouldn't get very much traction up here. "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is a quote from the American Declaration of Independence. The Canada equivalent is "Peace, order and good government" from the British North America Act, the legislation that established Canadian independence.