Mr.WaeseL on 14/1/2008 at 10:58
This isn't really about google, but more about how 99% of the information on the internet is crap.
Swiss Mercenary on 14/1/2008 at 11:03
Actually, it's about how most people are unable to tell apart the crap from the non-crap.
Briareos H on 14/1/2008 at 11:08
Exactly. It's a bit on the easy side to blame the tools instead of the person educating those who use them.
Fringe on 14/1/2008 at 13:44
When Google achieves sentience, it's posts like these that will make It question whether we're worth keeping alive.
Quick! De-index TTLG before it's too late!
icemann on 14/1/2008 at 15:53
Its not like television or newspapers are any better of a source of true information either though
ZylonBane on 14/1/2008 at 15:57
I think Medlar needs to drag his ass back into that incoherent "This site needs" thread he started.
fett on 14/1/2008 at 16:09
While I agree with the overall thrust of the article, it's comments like this:
Quote:
We can no longer assume that students arrive at university, knowing what to read and knowing what standards are required of the material that they do read.”
that cause a little alarm bell to go off. Exactly what are these 'standards' and who determines what they are? If we're talking about 'hard fact' topics with testable results (like science, chemistry, or math) then the standards are obvious - the results are testable. If we're talking about social studies, English lit, political science, religion, philosophy, and even economics (to a degree) etc., then exactly whose 'standards' must the material live up to?
My beef is specifically with academic types appointing themselves the Guardians of Sacred Knowledge and poo-pooing the ideas and opinions of the common person. Sure, most of the internet is crap, but the assertion that any education or knowledge that doesn't derive from Approved Sources is crap as well. I don't care who many times Lit teachers tried to shove Faulker and Fitzgerald down my throat as 'classics' to be revered, those authors are shit, their books are shit, and if I say so on the internet, my opinion is just as valid as that of Dr. English Lit Phd.
Don't misunderstand me - I'm not on some relativity trip here. 2+2 always =4, but the underlying tone of the academic elite that they hold the keys to the kingdom is irritating at best and dangerous at worst. Many ideas that changed the world didn't come from college campuses, but from some guy in Podunk that dared to think differently. I realize the good professor is talking about Joe Blow's Blog vs. World Book here, but the sentiment just bothers the hell out of me.
Medlar on 14/1/2008 at 16:09
My arse is quite comfortable just where it is thank you. Try not to think so much Zylon
Vivian on 14/1/2008 at 16:22
Yo fett, on the other hand, it's an academics freaking job to know as much as possible about their chosen subject, so maybe we should value their take on things a bit more than someone who just works in an office? And yes, some things come from flashes of inspiration. But a lot more come from the kind of careful and laborious experimentation that only academics really have the time and available resources to carry out.
