In his presentation at the Web 2.0 conference https://livinginliminality.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/gin.pdf (Links to an external site.)in April 2008, Clay Shirky prominently deploys both analogies

In his presentation at the Web 2.0 conference  https://livinginliminality.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/gin.pdf (Links to an external site.)in April 2008, Clay Shirky prominently deploys both analogies and anecdotes to make his points.  He starts with an implied analogy between gin in 18th century England and TV sitcoms in 20th century U.S.   What point does this analogy lead to, and how does his reasoning get from gin to that point?  And how does that point then lead to the main point or thesis of his essay?  Following the guidelines and rubric for these reading response assignments, compose a short essay in which you explain the rhetorical function of Shirky's opening analogy and how it works to help support his over all thesis by tracing the reasoning that follows his attention grabbing opening to his main idea.  

Please notice that, in this first response assignment, I am not asking you to analyze, critique, or evaluate Shirky's rhetoric and reasoning—just to describe them accurately and fairly, and in enough detail to make it clear to your reader.  You don't need to—and shouldn't—take a position on whether you think Shirky is right or wrong for this assignment.   

Use brief quotes from the text, as appropriate, as well as summary and paraphrase, to back up your points.  Include MLA format citations for both in-text citations and the works cited (which may actually be “Work Cited” if you reference only the primary text).