Reading Freakonomics, by Steven Levitt, on my new Kindle (thanks to Mr. Miller's inspiration). Like how author talks about the Internet..."[the Internet] has vastly shrunk the gap between experts and the public..." Because of the information available online consumers are evermore empowered. No longer can a car salesman spin the bells and whistles without our knowing the true cost of the vehicle. Funeral homes are now in competition with online casket companies. Consumers now have the information power to "challenge" the experts. "If you were to assume that many experts use their information to your detriment, you'd be right. Experts depend on the fact that you don't have the information they do..."
The power of information - the power of the Internet. Amazing to reflect on how our society and world have changed so much in such a short amount of time.
As educators, we need to consider that the Internet, while helpful, may also be harmful. How can we monitor the messages our students get daily? What does the freedom of information and the lack of skill to discern factual information mean to our society. Are the educational messages we send being negated by the abundance of "other" information received by our students? How can we use the Internet to make our messages more powerful?
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