DEATH OF KNOWLEDGE

The reset of ancient knowledge was once set to zero, by the burning and sacking of the library at Alexandra Egypt and through the dark ages.  Today, libraries are being relegated for the use of meetings and not the source of reading printed text.  This is due to the onset of e-books and the internet. The problem with the internet is, you don’t see all that is out there from within the keyboard.

You can ask Siri or Alexia, however, do they give you the answers desired? An example if you ask how many traffic deaths were there last year you get an answer of over 1 million.  Correct, for the world, however, we only comprise 4.3% of the world’s population and our death rate is only near 35,000.  If you only wanted the United States annual rate you must be specific. 

I found in the early 60’s, with the advent of computer printouts, that individuals look at technology as something that does not make mistakes.  True, however as you can see you only get out of a computer what has been put in.  I fooled many a DCAA auditor by having a printout of 5-6 pages set on top of a blank cases of paper and offer to copy the alleged data for their records, after showing the 5-6 page summary.  They never opted for the ream of paper and the ploy worked every time.

This is a result of confirmation bias.  The initial print out was a confirmation of what they were expected to see in the large box of paper, so they were not interested in the value of any additional data. 

You cannot ever depend on the internet for accurate information.  There are too many individual trolls that spread disinformation and conspiracy theories.  This can generate a lack of usefulness for reliable information.

If you have a government that manipulates the data, even that data becomes suspect and its usefulness Is diminished.

I contend, that without the knowledge of how and where to obtain accurate, complete and useful data, no one will be able to screen out reality from that of another’s bubble.  I see it as a child holding hands over their eyes and thinking everything goes away. 

The Trump administration’s war on information based on distortion, propaganda and conspiracy theories, and with the confirmation bias, have his dotards in training and minions believing the disinformation offered by their tribal chieftain.

Are the current generations of students interested in the library? In books? Is the data they get off the internet accurate? Or is it just cherry picked and painted with confirmation bias?  Can they trust the data?  Without trust do they use any information other than what they accept due to their bias?  Is everyone screwed using data only they believe?

  Will this generate another dearth of knowledge in the current generation?  A generation that will not seek out truth and happily swallow the grape Kool-Aid, only from their own tribe?