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"The web is incredible. I love the web. In so many ways it has improved the lives of millions by transforming society, education, culture, community, and commer

"The web is incredible. I love the web. In so many ways it has improved the lives of millions by transforming society, education, culture, community, and commerce. " We need to extinguish this kind of enthusiasm. Sure, computers are great, and they have changed the world, but not always for the better. And all this unending praise we give technology can keep us from thinking about technology critically. I love the web. And I hate the web. I hate surveillance. I hate data mining. I hate advertising. I hate linkbait headlines. I hate youtube comments. Hate hate hate.

mildtrepidation 13y ago
I'm inclined to agree to a point. However, I'd also point out that promoting rampant cynicism is perhaps not the answer to all of our problems, nor necessarily a good way to teach people to think. Critical thinking? Absolutely. But stomping out enthusiasm is a great way to kill something valuable that people like to talk about but rarely seem to understand: Actual innovation.
sn0v 13y ago
There are negatives, no doubt, not the least of which is the TPP and its potential ramifications for an open web. But that doesn't deter my enthusiasm in the least for other two-thirds of the world to get online. I'm sure there's a lot more untapped talent out there, and I'd like to believe the net sum of their innovations will see the positives outweigh the negatives.
- normloman 13y ago
  There is untapped talent out there, but I'm not sure the web can unlock all of it. You don't have a chance to develop your talents when you're going hungry each night. Nor is it easy to be talented under an authoritarian dictatorship. These are problems a website or smartphone app can't fix (though maybe they can help a little). I don't even buy that the web can raise people out of poverty. Seems like it produces more inequality if anything, though that remains to be seen. What the web can do is educate people (though it's also capable of misinforming them). And it can make life a little more efficient (Shopping online reduces travel time. Google maps reduces time driving around asking for directions). These are modest improvements, and they could unlock some talent. Just not much.
  - sn0v 13y ago
    Exactly. To clarify, by talent and innovation I didn't just mean the websites that the rest of the world can build. I meant it wrt the empowerment that free MOOC's can provide when it comes to basic education (especially in remote areas where schools are not always existent/affordable) and the possible innovations it could lead to in different sectors outside the realm of software development.
    - normloman 13y ago
      Getting an education isn't just a matter of cost. You need free time to take the classes, a quiet place to study, a family that supports you, and often, a teacher that motivates you to be your best. That's why I don't think MOOCs will change anything. They're great for people who are already educated, and have the resources to teach themselves. The rural poor in developing nations have bigger things to worry about.
marincounty 13y ago
Yea--I have a love/hate relationship with it as well. I will go to my death believing that looking into a manmade box; whether a computer screen, or TV--is--not--living--well. I got a single fried who travels the country in his camper. He says he follows the sun, and hides from authority. People critize him, but somtimes, I think he has it all figured out.

mildtrepidation 13y ago

I'm inclined to agree to a point. However, I'd also point out that promoting rampant cynicism is perhaps not the answer to all of our problems, nor necessarily a good way to teach people to think. Critical thinking? Absolutely. But stomping out enthusiasm is a great way to kill something valuable that people like to talk about but rarely seem to understand: Actual innovation.

sn0v 13y ago

There are negatives, no doubt, not the least of which is the TPP and its potential ramifications for an open web. But that doesn't deter my enthusiasm in the least for other two-thirds of the world to get online. I'm sure there's a lot more untapped talent out there, and I'd like to believe the net sum of their innovations will see the positives outweigh the negatives.

normloman 13y ago
There is untapped talent out there, but I'm not sure the web can unlock all of it. You don't have a chance to develop your talents when you're going hungry each night. Nor is it easy to be talented under an authoritarian dictatorship. These are problems a website or smartphone app can't fix (though maybe they can help a little). I don't even buy that the web can raise people out of poverty. Seems like it produces more inequality if anything, though that remains to be seen. What the web can do is educate people (though it's also capable of misinforming them). And it can make life a little more efficient (Shopping online reduces travel time. Google maps reduces time driving around asking for directions). These are modest improvements, and they could unlock some talent. Just not much.
- sn0v 13y ago
  Exactly. To clarify, by talent and innovation I didn't just mean the websites that the rest of the world can build. I meant it wrt the empowerment that free MOOC's can provide when it comes to basic education (especially in remote areas where schools are not always existent/affordable) and the possible innovations it could lead to in different sectors outside the realm of software development.
  - normloman 13y ago
    Getting an education isn't just a matter of cost. You need free time to take the classes, a quiet place to study, a family that supports you, and often, a teacher that motivates you to be your best. That's why I don't think MOOCs will change anything. They're great for people who are already educated, and have the resources to teach themselves. The rural poor in developing nations have bigger things to worry about.

marincounty 13y ago

Yea--I have a love/hate relationship with it as well. I will go to my death believing that looking into a manmade box; whether a computer screen, or TV--is--not--living--well. I got a single fried who travels the country in his camper. He says he follows the sun, and hides from authority. People critize him, but somtimes, I think he has it all figured out.