Actually, that 'off target' 1995 anti-Internet column was amazingly on-target
latimes.com
latimes.com
Yes, you'd have to be completely insane not to think that.
It's by far not 100%, and it will never be, however in many parts good high quality information is available that would otherwise be unattainable to the average person. This effect is also amplified the smaller and more remote the community is that you live in.
My parents live in a small town in germany, and they rely a lot on me to get basic information about things like operation procedures they will be undergoing, diet advice both in the form of explanations of basic structuring, as well as studies about snake oil products they get offered, prices and quality of random pieces of hardware or technology they see, and the efficacy of gardening advice and tools they get told about by other people in the town.
That article reminds me a lot of the old adage that people who begin sentences with "Actually," should rather not be speaking.
The internet has made people far more open minded.
Stoll joked in self-deprication that his criticism was coming from a guy who owned five computers and no car -- so, he wasn't anti-technology. Nor do I think he didn't see the positive potential of the internet. There was a lot of hype going around in the late 90's, and his essays were responding to that.
Well, I think that, and my doctor agrees that I'm not completely insane. Programming for 15+ years, CS degree et al.
>My parents live in a small town in germany, and they rely a lot on me to get basic information about things like operation procedures they will be undergoing, diet advice both in the form of explanations of basic structuring
Yeah, nothing like getting medical knowledge and advice from the internet to fight misinformation...
I'm sorry to have to inform you that you're not only insane, but also carry an incredible amount of self-confidence to not even once consider that you might be AND to not even try and query points brought up, but to try and straight-up denounce them with sarcasm and though-terminating cliches.
You might have a degree, but for some reason you seem to think learning is over for you. If i were american i'd say i pray, but instead i'll just say i hope that at some point someone teaches you how to ask questions and open your mind to the possibility that you do not know everything there is to know.
And some don't. For non-fiction, ebooks are close to surpassing print: http://www.publishingtechnology.com/2015/02/adding-up-the-in...
> And you still have to be nuts to bring a $400 piece of hardware to the beach.
Right, normal people never bring their iPhone to the beach.
Predictions are hard, and Stoll got a lot wrong -- but I've always liked the sentiment. As technology is woven ever more tightly into our lives it _is_ important to find ways to disconnect from the digital buzz -- and reconnect with people and experiences in the physical world.
As far as misinformation, I do see lots of crap posted by friends on social media. Smart friends. People I respect. It's not only partisan divide -- it's Science vs Pseudo-Science. Sensationalism. Seductive headlines.
For those who don't like Stoll -- maybe his criticisms hit too close to home -- well, it's easy to discredit him via his off-base prognostications. For everyone else, there's some wisdom there. A bit of cautionary advice to keep us grounded in our ever more digital lives.
While I agree with most of the article, I find YouTube channels like CrashCourse immensely more educational and inspiring than sixth form teachers (11th grade in NZ) :) And while I can barely remember my early teacher's names, I certainly know Hank and John Green.
I had a chance to hear him speak. Twice actually. The first time was about his catching the hacker. The second was more about his second book. What I remember from the second speech was his theme of having a sense of wonder and curiosity and learning. This was at the Ham Radio convention in Dayton, and prior to the speech he went to the flea market and gathered up bags of parts for building radios and other kits. He dumped the bag out on the overhead projector.
With all due respect, take a look at this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g91xkISmp2g
The best motivations to become familiar with the natural world, I think, would be unethical/illegal for a teacher to discuss with students.