Is knowledge relevant anymore?

[Captain_Nick]

I woke up this morning with the idea in my head that Google and the Internet have rendered knowledge obsolete.

Google can give me whatever knowledge or skills I require. For example a week ago I could not bone a round fish, now after half a days research and a little practice, I can. But there is nothing special about me; anyone can do this. Anyone can google cheffing, or carpentry, or prostitution, or higher mathematics and learn as much or as little as they like. All the world's skills and knowledge are available for everybody to access whenever and however they like.

Does this then mean that it is no longer beneficial to possess knowledge? There is no longer a difference between someone that knows and someone that doesn't. What's the point of studying when a bit of time on Google or Youtube will do the job just as well?

 

[Kestra]

If you learn a skill, it doesn't matter where you learn it. It's still knowledge. If you're asking if teaching and studying are still relevant, then yes they are. Also some of us aspire to learn things that aren't taught on Youtube.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

This is not a new thought at all. We are evolving into a society where the possession of knowledge isn't so much an asset as is the ability to locate the specific knowledge you need at any given moment.

 

[Captain_Nick]

Is there anything left which can't be taught by the internet? Could you give me an example?

 

[Captain_Nick]

the possession of knowledge isn't so much an asset as is the ability to locate the specific knowledge you need at any given moment.

That's what I'm talking about

 

[sojourner]

You had sex with a fish!?!

 

[Captain_Nick]

You had sex with a fish!?!

Christ I hope you are joking

http://www.ehow.com/how_2081_bone-fish.html

 

[Robert Maxwell]

What Google cannot replace is the analysis of complex, interconnected bits of data. That's where real expertise comes from: having a strong mental model of something that's more than just raw data but actual analysis and understanding of it.

 

[Miss Chicken]

I am sure there are some languages that you couldn't learn on the internet.

 

[thestrangequark]

Is there anything left which can't be taught by the internet? Could you give me an example?

Many, many things. The more subtle the skill, the more one needs one on one instruction. The arts for example: one may read about the piano, and take a few video tutorials online, but nothing will replace the study of the instrument from a master.

I believe you are confusing information with knowledge: the two often go hand in hand, but they aren't the same thing.

 

[Amaris]

What Google cannot replace is the analysis of complex, interconnected bits of data. That's where real expertise comes from: having a strong mental model of something that's more than just raw data but actual analysis and understanding of it.

Exactly. Knowing how to do something is one thing, knowing the mechanics required to understand why it's done is another entirely.

 

[scotpens]

Knowledge is still as important as it ever was. Only the tools have changed.

 

[sojourner]

You had sex with a fish!?!

Christ I hope you are joking

http://www.ehow.com/how_2081_bone-fish.html

LOL, Thankyou. Your response gave me the chuckle I needed before going to bed.

And yes, I was joking.

p.s. I prefer to de-bone my fish.

 

[Canadave]

And let's not forget that information has to be created. Higher mathematics, say, doesn't just happen, it has to be worked out, bit by bit, by extremely knowledgeable people. The way we access information may have changed, but knowledge remains as vital as ever.

 

[JarodRussell]

Is there anything left which can't be taught by the internet? Could you give me an example?

Social interaction.



And the problem is that people start to think they know it all just because they googled the wikipedia article on it. Who needs to study at university when you can learn directly from Professor Wikipedia?

 

[Squiggy]

Is there anything left which can't be taught by the internet?

Google doesn't teach you any more than a book teaches you.

 

[Mr Awe]

To some extant the OP is correct. However, there are limitations. You will have a hard time finding some very specialized information on the Internet. I work in some specialized areas and I know first hand that the internet has some informaton but it's far from complete, not entirely accurate, and a lot isn't written that clearly. It would be hard to learn these entirely through Google. These are often the skills that lead to high paying jobs.

This is best expressed as being the difference between expertise in a subject area versus a general knowledge of something. Being able to use the knowledge in a complex fashion (connecting complex bits of data, applying this knowledge in varying settings, etc.) versus just a rote memory of it. Also, for more complex tasks, you often want to create new information, which Google is no good for.

So, Google is fine for simpler things like filleting a fish, or things that you can just memorize (such as history) but not so much for more complex things like engineering, advanced science, etc. It may get you started or provide an overview for complex things, but often it's distinct from learning it as a skill.

But, certainly, the amount of knowledge that you can obtain via Google is immense and has reshaped how and how much we learn. There are still some limitations though.

Mr Awe

 

[Amaris]

I think Google is perfect for common knowledge; things everyone should know or try to learn. In that, it is an invaluable resource.

 

[Holdfast]

Information doesn't equal wisdom.

"Knowledge", on the other hand, is admittedly a ambiguous term to define.

But wisdom (which results from the processing, structuring and sifting of information into a coherent, meaningful framework for understanding) cannot be obtained from the internet without a degree of intelligence, reflection and insight on the part of the user.

 

[Rett Mikhal]

Is there anything left which can't be taught by the internet? Could you give me an example?

How to read a book?

But I digress. I have always lived for the search of information and the storage of it. I pride myself on the ability to answer whatever trivia or historical queries you can throw at me.

It is sad the amount of ignorance in today's society. It seems general knowledge was most in fashion at the end of the 19th century.

Read Civil War letters and be amazed at the amount of detail they put into it as well as their vocabulary. Letters these days, from soldiers or not, never have that amount of effort, nor do communications in any form.

I guess the best you can do is try to be an example of knowledge and hope others will want to possess as much. I know that's a big hope, but what else can you do?

Or just take pride you're better than everyone else at something.