Poll: Internet > Intellectual Pursuit

[RazzleDazzle102]

As a college student, the past accomplishments of those who revolutionized the world are at the forefront of my mind. I see there work reflect every aspect of every culture today. I find myself wondering....
1. Where in our day and age do we find the Madison's, the Locke's, the Alexis de Tocqueville's that changed the way people thought at the time?
2. With the internet as a haven for new ideas and it being available to anyone, is the pursuit of finding our times chief thinker dead?
3. I assert that the internet, great as it is, has destroyed the very nature of radical thinking, replacing it rather with those who would rather their opinions be known and respected, but change is the least of their worries. (with the exception of the following - Philip De Franco, Yahtzee, Movie Bob, most funny things on Youtube,)
I would like to see what you, the very people I am referring to (mostly, some of you are pretty cool no lie) think of the idea that the internet has yielded no real, important writers, but rather has diminished the effort of writing for that medium itself.

 

[sky14kemea]

I know this is a really pointless reply, but I think this belongs in Off Topic or something. o/

 

[RazzleDazzle102]

yea i know, i failed cause Im kinda a newb when it comes to posting threads and whatnot..... my Bad

 

[sky14kemea]

Awwwh, there's no shame in that. Everyone starts off new. :0

Just PM a mod and ask them to move it to a different section of the forums. All you're gonna get here is slightly crazy RolePlayers chipping in. =P

(No offence guys, I love you all o/)

 

[Sporky111]

This is an interesting idea. But I would say that the internet has strengthened the reach of the radical thinker, but diminished the need for them. We live in a much more enlightened age than any part of history. It's very hard for any power of government or otherwise to control the thoughts of people. The individual has a great ability to form their own thoughts and opinions, and so there is less need for those people who stand out and change the world view of those around them.

 

[Anarchemitis]

3. I assert that the internet, great as it is, has destroyed the very nature of radical thinking, replacing it rather with those who would rather their opinions be known and respected, but change is the least of their worries. (with the exception of the following - Philip De Franco, Yahtzee, Movie Bob, most funny things on Youtube,)

Why are entertainers of a very particular pop-cultural clique that you enjoy watching exempt from your assertion? Viz. are there other exceptions or should such a theory be reevaluated?

 

[RazzleDazzle102]

A valid point, I was simply shouting out my favorite people on this website. You right, the theory should be evaluated. To shout out people who are not considered to be "great" thinkers (i use the term in the parameters of the aforementioned enlightenment age thinkers) is going against my point.

 

[RazzleDazzle102]

This is an interesting idea. But I would say that the internet has strengthened the reach of the radical thinker, but diminished the need for them. We live in a much more enlightened age than any part of history. It's very hard for any power of government or otherwise to control the thoughts of people. The individual has a great ability to form their own thoughts and opinions, and so there is less need for those people who stand out and change the world view of those around them.

While I agree with your statement i retort with my original model of an enlightened thinker. What makes in my mind, such writers is the opposite of what many people are on the internet, free from the system of rules and regulations. The writers of the past said what they said under the shadow of their country flag, their political affiliation, their installed beliefs, and they proved to be influential in changing the course of history. While I'm not saying each person has potential, there is a notion of pointlessness in believing that a collective voice such as the internet can litterally, fundamentally, alter the affects of a country. (While i say this, i do take into count the fact that the internet has actually helped change things economically and helped spread tragedies to others that facilitate positive change.)