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by lists 4689 days ago
I don't think the author is responding to Graham appropriately. Graham's argument is against the power structure of Big Media, not the enduring value of narrative. Hence Graham's post beginning by pointing to the industries' push for SOPA signaling that they're running out of ideas, not on how to entertain people, but to constrict people to being entertained on Big Media's terms. This has a negative effect on quality of narrative, as many have noted.

I think the nature of the confusion is that Graham hints at his personal preferences on how people should spend time ("It would be great if what people did instead of watching shows was exercise more and spend more time with their friends and families" [0]) right besides endorsements for products that shift demand for screen narratives ("new media", "things... that have little in common with movies and TV except competing with them for finite audience attention" [0]).

But even with that said, Graham's view is ultimately inclusive of Curran's. Graham:

>"There will be several answers, ranging from new ways to produce and distribute shows..." [0]

Curran:

>"The internet has paved the way once again for a vertically integrated system of production and distribution, and we know that today’s youth is hungry for stories that matter to them. Whomever is the first to put that together will win." [1]

Screen narrative was never in question.

Edit: Forgot to add links

[0]: http://ycombinator.com/rfs9.html

[1]: http://charliecurran.com/you-have-to-beat-the-man-to-be-the-...