This generation isn't stupid, we're just different.

Thrice · 08-28-2008, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayJamJah

Cool post and I agree, it's like suggesting that because we have cars there is no reason to walk, run or bike anymore. The Internet is a wonderful, but you have to know how to use it and take advantage of that know how to get anything out of it.

When I was coming up obviously no world wide web, I would spend hours in libraries going through biographies and encyclopedias, listening to records now all that stuff is a click away. Maybe I am giving myself too much credit but I feel like the internet makes me want to learn more not less. It's not good enough for me to know that information is out there, I want it in my head.

Well stated jibber.

Exactly! I am a much more motivated information whore now, because it is so easy to access everything. It is almost frustrating at times (hence the 100 wikipedia pages open). I fully agree, dont discredit yourself.

Whatsitoosit · 08-28-2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jibber

The whole argument about the internet giving this generation the liscence to be entirely unmotivated to learn about the surrounding world is a complete cop-out. It's an excuse to fall back on in lieu of admitting that people (yes, people, not just this generation) in general are getting lazy and apathetic. Apathy in my opinion is a form of stupidity. I don't consider anyone who has no curiosity or desire to learn more about the world remotely intelligent.

The internet is an incredibly powerful tool. Knowledge is knowledge, wheather it comes from a book, a tv show or the internet it all ends up the same in the end, as information stored in your brain that makes you a more aware, more informed, and yes, more intelligent person. The key here is that you have to actually internalize that knowledge. The statement that absorbing information has been made irrelevant by the internet and other media is unintelligent. So if you believe that that is a widespread feeling among this generation, then yes, I would say this generation IS less intelligent.

you're right... but I was saying having it all at your finger tips and not trying to cram it all in can be a good thing, not that it always is a good thing (sorry if my point didn't really come across). I don't think people should rule out learning of the things they find interesting... it's just no longer as necessary to worry about learning the things you really could care less about. Things are much easier to access today then going to the library... and with anything if you use it carelessly it's going to give sour results.

joyboyo53 · 08-28-2008, 08:17 AM

just though it should be noted that one advantage to no internet was that it was harder to pass off bull**** as fact. you had to be published to be reviewed; today any idiot with a computer can pass off lies as facts... kind of like the millions of conspriacy theories. in the opposite light it does keeps history from being written by the victors (in a sense).

Whatsitoosit · 08-28-2008, 08:21 AM

This is sorta true, there were always bull****ters from the beginning of time and in the end it's really up to the listener/reader to decide what to believe. The internet gives many more people a false sense of security to say what they want without any repercussions. The same thing can be said for the recording technology today... anybody can make an album and put it through iTunes. Fortunately it still needs to be screened and accepted before hitting the radio... even though I wonder who the hell is screening half the **** that's on the radio.

I went through most of my education without using the internet as a learning tool, I pretty much only used it to goof around. Now I use it for both... but kids growing up today need to be extra careful how they use it. Not sure how teachers are handling research situations but I would like to think they still make children use the library up until they can understand how to properly use the internet. It's great to actually feel the pages of a book as you learn something... before I learned non-linear video editing I was taught how to edit 16mm film on the old steenbecks as well as tape to tape linear editing. This was a great way to learn discipline and appreciate the art of editing... non-linear kind of loses that in a way although it makes editing so much more easier. I guess the same can be said for learning from a book as opposed to reading it on a computer screen.

jibber · 08-29-2008, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whatsitoosit

This is sorta true, there were always bull****ters from the beginning of time and in the end it's really up to the listener/reader to decide what to believe. The internet gives many more people a false sense of security to say what they want without any repercussions. The same thing can be said for the recording technology today... anybody can make an album and put it through iTunes. Fortunately it still needs to be screened and accepted before hitting the radio... even though I wonder who the hell is screening half the **** that's on the radio.

I went through most of my education without using the internet as a learning tool, I pretty much only used it to goof around. Now I use it for both... but kids growing up today need to be extra careful how they use it. Not sure how teachers are handling research situations but I would like to think they still make children use the library up until they can understand how to properly use the internet. It's great to actually feel the pages of a book as you learn something... before I learned non-linear video editing I was taught how to edit 16mm film on the old steenbecks as well as tape to tape linear editing. This was a great way to learn discipline and appreciate the art of editing... non-linear kind of loses that in a way although it makes editing so much more easier. I guess the same can be said for learning from a book as opposed to reading it on a computer screen.

This brings up an interesting point. I'm a huge advocate of using the internet as a learning tool in the classroom, not only because of the massive amount of information, but for the ability to connect with different parts of the world. I think a lot of us remember having pen-pals in a foreign country as part of a school project; mine was from japan. Now, kids can do colaborative study projects with kids in japan, not just writing basic letters to each other. it's incredible the kind of interaction available through the internet.

having said that, I do believe that something is lost in not going to the library and sitting amongst a pile of books. I remember being so excited in the 5th grade when I had my first, real, long-term research project (yeah that got old quickly), but at the time it fascinated me to browse through dozens of books and find important information in each one. On a recent trip to NY I visited the national library and just wandered for hours looking at all the historic books. It's a little sad that kids now will miss out on that feeling, despite the huge advantages the internet gives them.

Your point about editing reminds me of my photography. I learned with a 1975 minolta XD11. Now, when i'm processing my photos in photoshop after a shoot, even though it's way more convenient, I miss going into the darkroom for hours processing my prints. It's just so much more satisfying to see a roll of negatives you processed turn into a print seemingly out of nowhere. though dodging and burning is a hell of a lot less frustrating in photoshop. but, when your editor gives you two hours to get an interview, take the photos, write the story, and then file the photo and article, the convenience is nice

Whatsitoosit · 08-29-2008, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jibber

This brings up an interesting point. I'm a huge advocate of using the internet as a learning tool in the classroom, not only because of the massive amount of information, but for the ability to connect with different parts of the world. I think a lot of us remember having pen-pals in a foreign country as part of a school project; mine was from japan. Now, kids can do colaborative study projects with kids in japan, not just writing basic letters to each other. it's incredible the kind of interaction available through the internet.

having said that, I do believe that something is lost in not going to the library and sitting amongst a pile of books. I remember being so excited in the 5th grade when I had my first, real, long-term research project (yeah that got old quickly), but at the time it fascinated me to browse through dozens of books and find important information in each one. On a recent trip to NY I visited the national library and just wandered for hours looking at all the historic books. It's a little sad that kids now will miss out on that feeling, despite the huge advantages the internet gives them.

Your point about editing reminds me of my photography. I learned with a 1975 minolta XD11. Now, when i'm processing my photos in photoshop after a shoot, even though it's way more convenient, I miss going into the darkroom for hours processing my prints. It's just so much more satisfying to see a roll of negatives you processed turn into a print seemingly out of nowhere. though dodging and burning is a hell of a lot less frustrating in photoshop. but, when your editor gives you two hours to get an interview, take the photos, write the story, and then file the photo and article, the convenience is nice

LOL, see maybe this is why we have slightly different view points... I never got excited about research papers. Good point about using the internet in the classroom as a constructive tool... I still think kids should write actual letters to far away lands but interacting on projects as you mentioned (in moderation) would be a great way to help children understand different cultures while understanding the power of the internet.

I started recording my music on a Tascam (cassette tape) 4 track (which I loved)... I then upgraded to a Roland 16 track hard disk recorder, which sounded better and made recording more convenient but the excitement of making a 4 track recording sound good was gone. I actually went back to the 4 track just for laughs and I realized the evolution was a good thing. Now I'm recording via my computer with Digital Performer and the results (sound wise) are the best I've had yet but I will always listen to those 4 track recordings with enthusiasm for its rawness (due in part to my rawness at the time).

08-28-2008, 08:21 AM	#44 (permalink)
Whatsitoosit Bringer of Carrots Join Date: May 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 648	This is sorta true, there were always bull**ters from the beginning of time and in the end it's really up to the listener/reader to decide what to believe. The internet gives many more people a false sense of security to say what they want without any repercussions. The same thing can be said for the recording technology today... anybody can make an album and put it through iTunes. Fortunately it still needs to be screened and accepted before hitting the radio... even though I wonder who the hell is screening half the ** that's on the radio. I went through most of my education without using the internet as a learning tool, I pretty much only used it to goof around. Now I use it for both... but kids growing up today need to be extra careful how they use it. Not sure how teachers are handling research situations but I would like to think they still make children use the library up until they can understand how to properly use the internet. It's great to actually feel the pages of a book as you learn something... before I learned non-linear video editing I was taught how to edit 16mm film on the old steenbecks as well as tape to tape linear editing. This was a great way to learn discipline and appreciate the art of editing... non-linear kind of loses that in a way although it makes editing so much more easier. I guess the same can be said for learning from a book as opposed to reading it on a computer screen. __________________ "It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but it doesn't take any to just sit there with a dumb look on your face." Last edited by Whatsitoosit; 08-28-2008 at 08:55 AM.

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08-28-2008, 08:17 AM	#43 (permalink)
joyboyo53 down the rabbit hole Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: the mountain called monkey Posts: 764	just though it should be noted that one advantage to no internet was that it was harder to pass off bull**** as fact. you had to be published to be reviewed; today any idiot with a computer can pass off lies as facts... kind of like the millions of conspriacy theories. in the opposite light it does keeps history from being written by the victors (in a sense).