Is The Internet Making Us Dumber?

Quoner · May 29, 2008

From PC Mag via FOx News: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,358381,00.html

Quoner · May 29, 2008

From PC Mag via FOx News: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,358381,00.html
Copyright © 2008 Imaginova Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

My bad - I didn't know FOX would pursue a secure section of a message board that the public can't see.

That's why they are FOX (cue political hijack now! You brought this on yourself, admins....)

Cerebus · May 29, 2008

My bad - I didn't know FOX would pursue a secure section of a message board that the public can't see.
That's why they are FOX (cue political hijack now! You brought this on yourself, admins....)

The reason we don't allow it is because you are taking clicks away from whatever website you are cutting and pasting from. We don't like it if other sites do it to us, we don't do it to other sites, if they can find out about it or not.

Also, we are part of the vast libertarian media conspiracy, but don't tell anyone.

Quoner · May 29, 2008

The reason we don't allow it is because you are taking clicks away from whatever website you are cutting and pasting from. We don't like it if other sites do it to us, we don't do it to other sites, if they can find out about it or not.
Also, we are part of the vast libertarian media conspiracy, but don't tell anyone.

True - but it's FOX News.

I've got to stop manufacturing fake fights because I am bored.

Cerebus · May 29, 2008

Also, yes, we are getting less and less of a general perspective. But the internet is just part of it.

The other part is there is so much choice now, you are never forced to think differently, you can watch FOX if you a right wing nut, you can watch CNN if you are left wing nut, and you will never be challenged in your views.

The curse of Ivory Tower thinking has leeched into the mainstream.

UNTflyer · May 29, 2008

I get my news from NPR.

And Drudge.

Quoner · May 29, 2008

I posted this because I work in the media industry and we are constantly bombarded with how blogs and social media are changing the game. Entire marketing, advertising and public relations agencies are scrambling to find new ways to invade the new mediums daily. Get a twitter feed for an exec! Start a blog! Invade Facebook and Myspace! Forget the press release - we need a gimmick!

For information purposes, I now wake up each morning and sweep this site, 7-8 of the Dallas News/DRC blogs, D Magazine Front Burner, about 20 aviation blogs, Deadspin, KSK, random links, Fark, CNN and dozens of Google Alerts on about 10 different topics related to work and my personal life. I keep checking them through out the day and have fought the urge to get RSS feeds because I do want to see everything, even if I think I don't care. This keeps me at least tapped into the big picture.

The CNN and DMN front site pages are my main sources for big picture news and I will skim the NY Times and WSJ when I have a moment as well. I feel like I know a lot more overall, but only have depth of knowledge about a few issues. I think that is the main curse of the internet right now. There are several discussions here on GMG - take fuel and Microsoft for example - where everyone has only a sliver of knowledge but all feel like we know more than we do.

I like the internet setup because I want to the ability to respond and discuss everything - whether it is complex or stupid. I post on a number of boards and felt the need to start a pretty spare sports blog because Tasty, Nappy, Alex and I enjoy trying to out-shock each other (giggle) and needed a creative outlet from our desk jobs. I have no illusions that what I write there matters, but it is a nice forum that a few good friends read and it leads to better discussions over email and in person. Some of you swing by to critique or laud us and that is awesome that people actually can muster up even that 1% of interest it takes to fight through the crap we put out.

I also get to do a bit as a gay sports obsessed jock-sniffer because I either missed my true calling and need to call off my wedding or because I thought that a sight I enjoyed needed comic relief (or both!) I am adding no value to the internet or society (and should rightfully get a punch in the nuts from the Mighty Quinn if we ever cross paths again.) None of us really are, but the community aspect of this site - and others like it - have been amazing. If I just showed up at a game at your tailgating tent in some tight jean shorts and a tank top, I don't think I would have the same level of acceptance.

I think the mainstream media members are learning that they need to start conversations around good reporting, but both sides are being forced to cut corners. Stories are tighter and filed quicker and experience is no longer as prized as it used to be (for better or worse, Blackie Sherrod fans.) The comment sections on many blogs serve as a trailer park of idiocy; filled with uninformed rants that probably make journalists wonder why they are being made to cater to these idiots.

So, my theory is this - the internet can serve as a refuge of wisdom and discussion, but it can also be a more stimulating way of escapism (insert porn joke here.) I get to blow off steam on topics no one else cares about; offend people for no good reason and just cure the work day malaise when I need a 5 minute break. I also get to research stats and look into random issues I care about - like FAA maintenance hearings - just for fun! The dumbing down of our culture is not brought about by the internet, but by a cluster of people who forgot how to challenge minds, a college environment that cares more about research and burdening its academics with everything except teaching, reality TV and more celebrity gossip and news than ever before.

The evil Internet is not the reason these things exist and even if the internet went away, the other mediums have dedicated themselves just as much to selling us this crap because we pay for it. So basically, this all …. (needs scapegoat) … Greenminer's fault.

yyz28 · May 29, 2008

Is The Internet Making Us Dumber?

HUH?

greenminer · May 29, 2008

People are having to absorb new information differently.

dGCJ46vyR9o

Mean Green 93-98 · May 30, 2008

My IQ has dropped at least 5 points since I discovered gomeangreen.com.

Cerebus · May 30, 2008

People are having to absorb new information differently.

8 books a year, but 1200+ facebook pages?

People rarely choose to read opinions that dissent from theirs. In the bad old days, the lack of choice forced people to do that at least some.

Now you don't have to.

I also thought it was telling that the students on average only read less than half their assigned readings, which do you think gets put down first, the book that reinforces thier beliefs, or the book that challenges them.