The internet has by no means made us dumber. It has rather increased our access to much more information around the world making us more knowledgeable in a lot more areas. Knowledge can be the greatest resource a person can have and the internet is the only complete tool that organizes such information and presents it to the user. Books are also an incomparable resource for knowledge, but both books and the internet enlighten us, they both complement each other in educating a person.
While amateurs have the right to express their opinions on blogs, wikis and other resources on the internet so do the experts. It is the readers responsibility to authenticate the statements of amateurs and the experts online. In general, people do want to listen to what experts have to say on their subject of study but that does not mean that we can disregard the amateurs opinion just because he does not have enough experience. An amateur may not have a degree from a reputable university or come from within a specific industry. Although, he may have life experiences that give him the knowledge to state his opinion without the clout of a degree or job in that area. This is not to say that all amateurs on the internet know what they are taking about. I'm just saying that we should not disregard them just because they are amateurs.
"Nobel Laureate Says The Internet Makes Us Dumb, We Say: Meh"
"The Digital Emperor Has No Clothes"
Friday, January 29, 2010
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The internet sure enlightens and broadens our knowledge. it also allows social networking irrespective of our status.
ReplyDeleteI got to agree that amateurs do have a right to say what they want but don't you think that at times it is getting absurd. Experts are their for a reason so be it if they are called elitist, they are the ones who know the information studied it and are now being mocked for it. Or rather the internet is mocking their abilities and saying that they are wrong. Look their is nothing wrong with amateurs opinion, that your right on. I just have a problem with some of the really useless stuff that people say on this glorious thing called the internet.
ReplyDeleteThe internet has become somewhat of a second world where people can go and act as they will with total anonymity. But however, it is up to the user to decipher what is useful information, and what is complete crap. You see, this argument has been going on for years with many schools of thought, much as the infamous argument of whether television makes people stupid. No matter which side you take, there is no one answer.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say NA NA NA BOO BOO
ReplyDeletejust because I have the anonymity of the internet to do so.
Poo Poo Caca Na Na Boo Boo