NBC's Brian Williams Lampoons Digital Media Hype

NEW YORK (YouTube.com/AdAge) -- Do you sometimes think the hype about digital media has gotten totally out of control? So does NBC Night News anchor Brian Williams. Speaking at the recent Ad Council Public Service Awards ceremony, he lampooned the digital geek-speak that so often ignores the realities of traditional media.

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[CamiloSanchez1979]

I doubt books will be completely replaced, but Williams is right, sometimes is more a hype than anything else.

[chrisman737]

Hilarious. I love digital media, but Brian Williams makes good points. He is not saying he hates digital media. If you listen closely, he is merely saying that the silly salivating so many digital media geeks do over the latest app is silly, especially since there were analog counterparts to so many of these apps not so long ago.

[beeksjeanie]

lol

[brothermoon]

@maying38 re: netflix for books -- the issue is convenience and access. please think about it. something clearly williams was not doing prior to opening his mouth.

[maying38]

@brothermoon - I do know what live streaming means but I have to confess I have not heard about the Netflix book equivalent. But really, if you think about it and broke it down it would be akin to a library and if I am not mistaken that is what he is pointing out. As to my previous comment, I purposely used the Kindle ad because that is what struck me the most in his "monologue". I love technology but really, we are being silly about it now.

[brothermoon]

@maying38 obviously you missed the lack of understanding Williams demonstrates by such mischaracterizations and exaggerations. it's almost funny comedy, but clearly inaccurate and very contorted.

for ie: 'live streaming audio' means to anyone informed that you can listen to radio stations not just in your local area but from anywhere around the world.

ie. netflix for books means that those unable to use libraries still have access to books.

he's not using critical thought.

[maying38]

@brothermoon - Clearly you missed the point. I have a Kindle and I love it but I did cringe when I saw the ad for Kindle that Brian Williams was talking about. He doesn't hate or dislike technology he just feels that sometimes we hype it up so much that it becomes silly.

[Level9Lime]

I disagree

[brothermoon]

this speech came down to: a conceited member of the aging media elite confused by these 'new fangled things' , not realizing their function, diversity, and potential, and preaching his jokes to an audience of peers with the same density.

[brothermoon]

haha.. funny, but based on exaggeration and ridiculous comparisons. so how many books can you hold in your hand at once and read whenever you want without the physical footprint of a bookshelf or medium for storage? streaming audio isn't 'just' radio.. it's thousands of radio stations from all over the world - some unique to the internet (blogradio) as well as podcasts that you can access on demand. brian's out of touch w/reality.