Internet Legitimized
With the wide-spread popularity of the "This Land Is Your Land" cartoon on JibJab.com, the Internet has finally been legitimized, sources reported.
According to sources, the Net is now an acceptable place for artists and writers to make statements about emotions and daily life, as well as grander social and political issues.
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Above: An image from the ground-breaking cartoon. |
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Prior to the release of the JibJab cartoon—a political parody that lampoons both George Bush and John Kerry—no important message had ever been conveyed through the Internet.
Paul Myers, a student at Temple University in Philadelphia, told reporters that he is "very happy people are finally finding important uses for the Internet."
"I love satire," said Myers, "and to think that a couple of animators could make such a grand satirical message and convey it to people through the web . . . it's just amazing."
Experts believe the acceptance of political cartoons marks the beginning in a series of changes that the Internet could go through as a result of the animation.
"Right now, the web is pretty much just used to make plane reservations and sell items on eBay," said Phillip Anderson, a social historian at the University of Illinois. "It's almost scary to think about what we could see in the future. Imagine, someday we might be able to turn on our computers and see detailed editorial analysis of current news events, or entertainment options so creative and free of traditional publishing and broadcast restrictions as to render conventional media hackneyed and obsolete."
"What a wonderful future we have to look forward to!" Anderson continued, "For now, though, let's continue watching our JibJab cartoon."
Scientists don't expect the Net to become a cultural and intellectual hub for many years to come; as first, a suitable technology must be invented that allows viewers to send such entertaining and thought-provoking websites to their friends.
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