Do you think original content is dead? Me, not so much, but I’ve been called a dreamer.

I hear lots of people complaining about it – how the Internet is just a recycled, regurgitated mess with everyone parasitically aggregating a minuscule amount of “real news”. This usually comes from someone lamenting the death of traditional publishing or relaying the demise of true journalism. They typically either have relied on and have deeply desired someone else to tell them what to think or have made money off of a tightly controlled, elite vetting process.

Just as often, people are distressed at how our society has changed and are exhausted by the rapid crumbling of many social structures, traditional media being one example. Sadly, I have to say it – that is not going away. The world is different today than when Walter Cronkite was on TV. I wish I could be more gentle, but there it is. You can argue the merit, but it’s hard to argue the case against the fact that things have changed, and in many cases, are not going back to the way they were.

The “real ideas are dead” view, in my opinion, has little to do with the actual newsworthiness (or not) of traditional media, nor does it realistically recognize all the cool info out there on the Internet, much of which is more interesting and relevant than the Big 3 has ever provided us. Yeah, the aggregating sites that do regurgitate are out there, and I don’t much like them either. Frankly, I don’t see the Associated Press as much different. It’s now just a problem of scale – way too much scale.

In all fairness, perhaps you know someone (are someone?) who rightfully has noticed that, on the web, everyone has become a news source, and are, well, maybe just not comfortable with that. That sentiment I get, especially if you favor good grammar and spelling. Just because you blog doesn’t mean you are interesting. Just because you can say it doesn’t mean you should. Even allowing for style and freedom of speech, some people are pretty much crazy and having a podium to encourage their rants seems counterproductive to society at large. All that is a true enough observation.

I take the proactive ground on this debate. I say, if you think no one on the web is making original content, then get thee to your word processor! Become the original source! Do quality research, put a voice to what people do care about, and give us your good stuff. I don’t care if it’s investigative or editorial, just make a commitment to being quotable. Embrace the burgeoning landscape of citizen journalism and be the 21st century version of Walter C, or maybe the next best selling author, or maybe a Poet Laureate. The field is wide open and the fruit is there to be picked. (OK, I haven’t had breakfast yet….I’ll work on my metaphors…)

Here’s my challenge to you and the one I am taking up this week: I am going to go for one full week without referencing anyone else’s material. If I use a picture, it’s because I took it, drew it, or am in it (I know the peacock has nothing to do with the story, but hey, I took it, it’s beautiful – I’ll work on creating more relevant stuff). If I write about ideas, it’s ones I’ve had. If I do video or audio, I helped create it. This is an experiment to see if I can do it. It’s a chance to see if my ideas even have enough merit to be on this page. It’s a chance for us all to put up or shut up.

So, I’m asking you – are you in? Wanna play along?