Intellectual paupers. Are you one?

[builder]

The web can source information like no other means in history. Does the ability to search for back-up to feeble claims make us all instant historians and intellectuals? Or does it make us lazy intellectual paupers, reliant on google for our so-called knowledge?

 

Cast your vote, and have your say, and don't use google, you lazy shitheads.

[tiredofwhiners]

Can i pick two? They would be i don't really give a fuck, and i don't have time to cross reference everything. But i can read just don't like to.

[scout]

What else can we do, Oh Professor?

How do you know who to believe? Or I should say, consider seriously? How do you find these places and people?

I was a late comer to the political thing and would like to know better of things. Not to mention MANY other things I'd like to be more sure of.

As I told RO I depended on you guys to provide me with insight. To which he replied your not here to educate me. Can't argue with that.

[manicmonday]

Dr. Google has helped me several times.

 

However, I think people over use it and don't get past the first page of what is given.

[tiredofwhiners]

Dr. Google has helped me several times.

 

However, I think people over use it and don't get past the first page of what is given.

 

That be me...I like the ole ASK.com myself.

[Ahhlee]

For the most part I use what's already stored in my noggin. I will research the web if I'm looking for more details or facts to back my opinion if it's a really heated debate.

[jokersarewild]

I look up something if I don't know it...or to back up something I know...basically, if it needs to be known, yes, I am an "instant historian".

 

But then we start debating with what we found...and it contradicts what others found...so, in effect, we are debating an issue we don't know, like when two candidates go at each other.

[builder]

If I do a google search, I tend to start at about page four. A lot of the links on on the first three pages are sponsored links, or manipulated into first places the way GF manipulates google monster.

[eisanbt]

One problem when considering this and how to actually judge wither or not you are a "Pauper" is that since this is an online blog and we are constantly asking each other for back-up which often comes down to out sourcing your opponent.

 

Personally I know what I know from, hell if I know exactly where, but my knowledge comes from personal exchange, books, media and experience. My opinions stem from what facts I know and that is what I post. But when posting here and sources are demanded or simply considered a given necessity to argument, then I find myself just finding the quickest link to some other source stating what I already know, usually not even reading the whole thing. I don't particularly care how credible the source is because I know there are creditable ones out there, any link I give is for courtesy sake.

[builder]

So what you are saying is, any link that supports your view is worth posting. Like, if some other fucker thinks like you do, it's gospel?

[manicmonday]

So what you are saying is, any link that supports your view is worth posting. Like, if some other fucker thinks like you do, it's gospel?

 

 

 

That would be how most people do research. Why think for youself when some else has and written about it? And if some one else believes it, then you yourself can't be wrong right?

[builder]

That would be how most people do research. Why think for youself when some else has and written about it? And if some one else believes it, then you yourself can't be wrong right?

 

 

Agreed. The best way to research a topic, is to look at the opposition's slant, and work backwards from there, to your own viewpoint.

 

Walk a mile in their shoes, beforehand. Like in the boy scouts, be prepared.

[RoyalOrleans]

I could give a two penny fuck what moral conundrum one might find agreeing with me. I'm not here to make good buddies, I'm here to rock my opinion... my values... and most of all; my twisted sense of humor.

[eisanbt]

So what you are saying is, any link that supports your view is worth posting. Like, if some other fucker thinks like you do, it's gospel?

 

 

I'm sure as hell not saying that if it supports my view its worth posting, I said it is purely for courtesy's sake. This in no way means that I just have a belief spawned from nowhere and anyone with similar opinion is correct. I've even posted links that I know are bullshit in general but say SOMETHING that needs to be said. With anything you'll find dipshits and great scholars supporting the same thing, best to learn from the scholars of course but when making a Post (Which is certainly not the formulation of my opinion) I simply toss out whatever is most convenient because its simply a post and really not that important as to make me spend more then 3 mins trying to find some online back-up from a really good source. If I say something that takes in an idiot so quickly then fine, let them be an idiot. If I post something of real interest then somebody may approach me but when just arguing here I don't feel the need to state more then what I know. What I know dosn't come from the Jimmy-Crack Commie's that I might use as a supporting link.

 

PS: I certainly agree that one must understand the logic of the opposing ideologies before you can make a solid decision about belief, there is after all a basic logical path to follow no matter what the direction. What guides one down whichever path however is the fundamental ethical principals unique to the individual. I can still trace along the opposition's path, I just can't believe in it.

[phreakwars]

I'm a lot like C.E.S., a free thinker.. I will take the opposing side just to get a different perspective on an argument. But then I have been accused of being a traitor, unpatriotic, a MUSLIM LOVER, and any other stupid LABEL you can place on my free will thought. It's not that I research anything really, I just happen to KNOW a lot of things and make my own hypothesis from the info I am given in my own logical interpretation. My only real fault is I have a more cynical approach to expressing my own personal view. But I just try to keep in mind, that no matter how strongly I feel about anything, I am NOBODY, even if I am a fucking MOD, to tell someone else what THEY should think. I think EVERYBODY can carry an intellectual conversation if motivated to do so. The problem with most people is they do not allow opposition when trying to express their intellectuality and they crumble like a stale cookie so fucking easy. And to tell you the truth, people like that fucking annoy me. I prefer the guy who is arguing my view with me to at LEAST have enough balls to "ENLIGHTEN" me with info that would change my thinking over trying to 1 up me.

 

The strongest stand that anybody can take is the one in their mind that tells them they are right. Your only weak when you question your own self. The funny thing about that, is usually the first to fall are the "FAITHFUL" ... here's a good example... where is papabryant ???

 

Nothing wrong with faith, but myself, I would rather be CERTAIN then have "FAITH". People who are CERTAIN, do not back down when shit is thrown in their face. But then, neither do people with "DEEP FAITH" if you back down, then you are simply saying you question your faith..

 

And I simply do not believe that "FAITH" is CERTAIN.

 

I know I just sidelined the topic onto religion, but I believe we are discussing Intellectuality here.. and "FAITH" or at least what we are taught to have faith in, is part of our intellectuality.

 

I mean, it drives us as humans to be how we are... fucking rampaging Muslim... or crazy ass Texas Rattlesnake church goers....or your everyday bible thumping holier then thou self righteous prick. Where is the logic and intellectuality in this from ???

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[builder]

I'm a lot like C.E.S., a free thinker.. I will take the opposing side just to get a different perspective on an argument. But then I have been accused of being a traitor, unpatriotic, a MUSLIM LOVER, and any other stupid LABEL you can place on my free will thought. It's not that I research anything really, I just happen to KNOW a lot of things and make my own hypothesis from the info I am given in my own logical interpretation. My only real fault is I have a more cynical approach to expressing my own personal view. But I just try to keep in mind, that no matter how strongly I feel about anything, I am NOBODY, even if I am a fucking MOD, to tell someone else what THEY should think. I think EVERYBODY can carry an intellectual conversation if motivated to do so. The problem with most people is they do not allow opposition when trying to express their intellectuality and they crumble like a stale cookie so fucking easy. And to tell you the truth, people like that fucking annoy me. I prefer the guy who is arguing my view with me to at LEAST have enough balls to "ENLIGHTEN" me with info that would change my thinking over trying to 1 up me.

 

The strongest stand that anybody can take is the one in their mind that tells them they are right. Your only weak when you question your own self. The funny thing about that, is usually the first to fall are the "FAITHFUL" ... here's a good example... where is papabryant ???

 

Nothing wrong with faith, but myself, I would rather be CERTAIN then have "FAITH". People who are CERTAIN, do not back down when shit is thrown in their face. But then, neither do people with "DEEP FAITH" if you back down, then you are simply saying you question your faith..

 

And I simply do not believe that "FAITH" is CERTAIN.

 

I know I just sidelined the topic onto religion, but I believe we are discussing Intellectuality here.. and "FAITH" or at least what we are taught to have faith in, is part of our intellectuality.

 

I mean, it drives us as humans to be how we are... fucking rampaging Muslim... or crazy ass Texas Rattlesnake church goers....or your everyday bible thumping holier then thou self righteous prick. Where is the logic and intellectuality in this from ???

.

.

 

 

So basically, you are saying that any religion can and does produce extremists, and despite glaringly obvious evidence to the contrary, they stick to their guns (story), wanting you to believe the same propaganda that sucked them in, and completely intransigent when shown any form of opposition.

 

I tend to agree. But it's not always religion, and it's not always extremists.

 

I tend towards extemism until shown a better viewpoint, and I have little trouble switching alliegances mid-conflict. But that's just me.

[manicmonday]

The web can source information like no other means in history. Does the ability to search for back-up to feeble claims make us all instant historians and intellectuals? Or does it make us lazy intellectual paupers, reliant on google for our so-called knowledge?

 

Cast your vote, and have your say, and don't use google, you lazy shitheads.

 

I wanted to go back to the original question of this poll.

 

Honestly, I think Google and Wikipedia is the death of learning anything constructive. I use google. But it's a tool not the end all be all of education.

 

I had a Professor give a writing assignment on something very simple but with the instructions not to use Google. If you did, you automatically flunked that paper. There were alot of people who didn't do well on this simple paper because they didn't have favorite way to look up information. Which is sad.

[builder]

I wanted to go back to the original question of this poll.

 

Honestly, I think Google and Wikipedia is the death of learning anything constructive. I use google. But it's a tool not the end all be all of education.

 

I had a Professor give a writing assignment on something very simple but with the instructions not to use Google. If you did, you automatically flunked that paper. There were alot of people who didn't do well on this simple paper because they didn't have favorite way to look up information. Which is sad.

 

Interesting. I like how I learn from the google monster, but I dislike the misrepresentations that intermingle with legitimate information on the web.

 

Google is clueless and easily manipulated, IMHO.

[snafu]

I don