People used to actually know what they were talking about because they were taught with literature that was universally accepted as educationally sound. NOW, people don't even know what books are. They form their opinions, and subsequently, their personalities, based on spoken opinions and commentary from others. Do you folks have that much faith in the masses?
Good god.
2006-07-12 06:02:43 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Then again, how do we *know* that what is written in the books is right? Experts are constantly being proven wrong as information advances, scientists have been known to falsify their data to prove their theories (gasp!!), and fiction and fact are often written interchangeably by those who cannot distinguish between them. So, we are forced to - OMG - think for ourselves?!
2006-07-12 06:49:30 · answer #1 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmm. Should we all submit to a higher authority figure and hope that s/he's right, or should we rely on the combined might of everyone? Looks like dictatorship vs democracy!
In this argument, how could the masses be any worse than a couple authorities? In a democracy, the so-called experts would still be heard and recognized, but at least in a democracy there would be other opinions around continuously challenging "accepted" knowledge, forcing it to adapt to new ideas/findings. If we lived under an informational monopoly, we would be forced to accept whatever ideas we were fed because no alternatives existed, not because we think they're the best ideas.
While mob rule might seem horrendously incorrect at times, it usually corrects itself, and I really doubt living in a 1984-style information-regime could be any better. Yes, I have faith in the masses, in that I have no faith in a single unquestionable authority.
2006-07-12 13:13:38 · answer #2 · answered by Fenris 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might get a kick out of visiting the discussion boards at IMDB. Experts in specific areas sometimes post to refute the "facts" of a movie and there will be people who actually argue with them stating "that's not how it was in the movie!" It's very sad. Then again, knowing this about the masses is exactly why marketing people make so much money. Just put someone in a white lab coat and have them sell any product. Works like a charm.
2006-07-12 13:07:44 · answer #3 · answered by jd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally believe that knowledge can be gained from any source. The wisdom to know what knowledge is of value would be the deciding factor there.
2006-07-12 13:07:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
some people do know what they are talking about and it's just called advice. What are you doing now?
2006-07-12 13:08:39 · answer #5 · answered by chesschick_07 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
guess that means religions too!
2006-07-12 13:06:18 · answer #6 · answered by Wounded duckmate 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋