Does the Internet encourage or hinder public discourse?

1 Comment

  • Betsy DeGeorge - 15 years ago

    I think the previous election proved that the internet has changed American politics. It may not have proven whether it changed it systemically for the better, but it has changed.

    Your observation that people can find others of their own mind (however, obscure) and huddle together with them, is valid, I think. We (humans) do that, don't we. But the variety of ideas are available--usually within a click or two, and that, I think is good.

    The availability of high quality educational material, for free, on the internet, is one of the most amazing things that I have observed to happen in, perhaps, my life time. Think about this. If I want to, I can from my computer sit in on courses from the premiere educational institutions of the U.S. I can attend an MIT physics course or a Berkeley biology class.The internet can communicate some bad things, but I overwhelmed by the good.

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