Before- well not before Google but before internet search databases, knowledge was a lot more powerful. This was solely due to the fact that it was expensive and time consuming- books, higher education, etc. Now, knowledge only requires internet, a computer, and the ability to read (and perhaps think?). I feel like this changes a lot, some things for the better, some for the worse.
I can learn how to cook a turkey, salsa dance, drive a car, make explosives. I can read Serres, or Milton, or whoever, and I can translate them into any language I want. I can shop for food, for clothes, and I can find out exactly what's in style second to second. I can learn about kangaroos, the many uses of paprika, the medical benefits of Marijuana.
Google, in a way, challenges us to learn as much as possible. And we should. But, most of us use this new opportunity to satisfy idle curiosity, or to put on an act of intellect (after all, searching google takes seconds). I know I do.
Google has made tinkerers of us all.
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And what of being a tinkerer? Is it a good hobby? Does it pay well?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure... I put high value on dedication to specific masteries, yet end up becoming moderetly adept at everything and specializing in none. I often feel like while it makes me a more well-rounded person, tinkering and dabbling in all subjects puts me in an entire level below the people who can dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to a subject.
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