I posted this as a shiftspace note, but I suppose I’ll post it here too.
As someone who frequents Digg and reads comments for kicks, I am fully aware of the type of stupidity that the internet breeds. In my opinion, the above comic accurately depicts this effect. Anyway, although I do think that it’s easy to give in to the internet and act stupid, I believe that it’s very difficult to forget one’s sense of self. When you step away from your computer or even just migrate away from that page, you’re still aware of being yourself.
The important part is to use this collective intelligence to not only improve yourself, but to further one’s own individual intelligence. Our ability to communicate and access information and discuss it as a group should be seen as a tool that each individual can use for their own thought. In a way, that’s what’s happening. This article itself seems to be an example of it.
-JF
