So I'm writing this down here to help me remind me to think this out. I think the internet will be the downfall of democracy.
I watched a video from the TED conference with a speaker (he was familiar, but I forget who he was, a journalist) who was taking about science denial, and how everyone is entitled to an opinion, but not their own facts. I think the internet is great, but it does a terrible job (good job, but terrible effect) of empowering people who have an opinion counter to science. Vaccines are a great example of this (although I think we seem to have a handle on that one), but now theres a furor over high-fructose corn syrup. Our soda in Canada has sugar, not HFCS in it, and we still get fat from drinking it. I think its a victim attitude.
Maybe I shouldn't say the internet, maybe I should say facebook will be the downfall, although its existence is necessary for facebook to exist. People with some political agenda think product X is evil, with no scientific background whatsoever, make facebook page to convince others its evil, and those people think its right! no science involved whatsoever.
Anyway, when we stop listening to experts, our system is going to fall into chaos, with only the loudest or most popular voices being listened to. Sean Penn will be president! Or something equally as bad.
Monday, May 3, 2010
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