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Ultimately, the ability of Critical Thought is the only thing that can save humanity from the worst of the doomsday scenarios while driving us towards the more positive possible outcomes.
The same has been true of every single mass media format that has come along since the Greek theatre. Those who can absorb, examine and seriously consider material with which they are presented are less likely to be guided exclusively by those materials.
Of course, one could look at the continuing devolution of our mainstream culture and see that this ability is in great danger.
Critical thinking skills have been continuously stripped from public education for years now and the resultant consumers of mass media are less equipped to actively engage and interpret the continuous bombardament of data thrown their way.
If we're really so worried about the implications of new(ish) media, we need to start with education. The more educated the consumer (be it cars, food, clothing or information), the less likely it is that they will be mindlessly herded from one pre-set agenda to the next.
