Britney Spears at the VMAs

The VMA awards were just getting underway and already the Internet was on fire. Both Britney Spears and her performance were being eviscerated before she had even made it to her dressing room. The photos followed, then the video, and the posts and comments just kept on coming. The public responds to news and events so quickly now that the news cycle has compressed to the point that it is practically live coverage. It happens so fast the viewers participate in the story.

For the record, I think I know what was wrong with poor Britney Spears. Look at her feet. Her heels were much too high. She could barely walk. She was tip-toeing around the stage and she could hardly keep her balance. It seems pretty obvious to me. She wasn't taking long strides; no sudden movements above the waist. Just about what you would expect from someone in heels that high.

No, I did not watch the VMAs. I am working late on a Sunday night and saw the story on Yahoo! News in between emails. That is how I consume news -- online, throughout the day, and in short bursts.  And if a story catches my eye, I can wade in deeper and if I am motivated to do so, I can participate.

If you want to understand the impact of the Internet on the nature of news consider this a case study.

Photo: Getty/Wireimage/AP