> why I ever thought the internet was about ideas There was a time when the exchange of knowledge fostered education. I say this ironically, because that is wh

> why I ever thought the internet was about ideas There was a time when the exchange of knowledge fostered education. I say this ironically, because that is what education is. Human civilisation exercises language to exchange ideas. It records this knowledge to extend education. The Internet was/is a medium for exchange. In the historical view, the Internet is a sophisticated medium without precedent. > When we say mainstream, I think we mean aligned to the dominant power The word means prevailing discourse, or some perception of the prevailing discourse. It is healthy to question prevailing discourse -- or any discourse. But it is not healthy to abandon reason and the tests (and self-tests) of validity. Wild assertions and unfounded accusations may divert weak minds, but they also seem to thrill fanatics. > the desperate political struggle for approval that is mainstream social media. People who favour their vanity over reason and truth are in deep trouble intellectually. Anti-intellectualism, if it becomes the prevailing discourse, will destroy a society. > The reality is the mainstream is not "good," the public sphere is an open sewer This is a sign of societal decline. "Social media" is vulgar business. It is not about education, intelligent discourse, or even civilisation.