Flook - You're right about your second point, of course. Just as people had to be trained to separate reality from fiction on TV, they'll have to learn how best to use the Internet.

I do think Schmidt's central point is a good one: That it's important to get the third world connected, just plain connected. The digital divide will worsen at first, in terms of absolute numbers (gigabit fiber vs. megabits on a feature phone) but you have to get the process started by providing the connectivity.

Phil - I'm not talking about hobbies. I'm talking about people with radical political points of view -- the kind that normally shrink in the light of, you know, reality.  You can surround yourself with like-minded people to the point of drowning out any tempering voices. People have always done this, usually by physically moving to remote areas. With the Internet, I think it's easier. I hope I'm wrong.

Regarding Congress -- certainly there's a lot more going on, including the advancements in gaming the media and prodding voters to vote (i.e., everyone's learned that being negative tends to work.)  But I think you've also got constituents who now more strongly believe their position is objectively "right" -- you can use the Internet to "prove" anything, after all -- and see no reason for compromise. I don't see that getting any better.

Thanks Odo. (Sorry - it's been a busy week and I'm just now getting back to this thread.)

Yeah, good point about the speed of connectivity. It can wash out an untruth pretty well. But it can also cement an untruth in people's minds hard and fast, if they decide they want to believe it.

I would hazard that quite a few (majority?) of members of our  dysfunctional Congress are Internet illiterate.

I also think that both Eric Schmidt and Craig are right: I can't imagine any country advancing in the modern world without the Internet, but it's up to users whether they take advantage of the Internet to expand their horizons or stay within the comfort zone of their tribe.

Equating what's possible with the Internet with our dysfunctional Congress is a step too far, I think. 

But how exactly have people been making their world smaller when one of the easiest things to do on the Internet is connect with others who have like interests? If I suddenly start corresponding with Russian photographers whose work I admire, am I narrowing my world by JUST talking to photographers? Or am I broadening it by connecting with other cultures over a common interest?

ph

craig,

very thoughtful. hits the nail on the head.

we have created virtual gated communities that separate the haves from the have-nots. politicians have decided that "compromise" is a bad word 'cos it makes them look weak.

only advantage of connectivity though is that lies are exposed faster, politicians who pander to an extreme wing of a party will find it harder to tilt to the center when convenient, and hopefully, one day, all the superpac $$ spent on tv ads will simply become noise and not influence the outcome of elections.

odo <-- who wants to hope for a better tomorrow!