Autodidact at the Suite - Page 4

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Apr 6, 2001

No, information is not wisdom, but I’ve never figured out how to achieve wisdom without information. During my early parenting years I read every book by about every expert I could read. I then took what I agreed with and considered what I didn’t agree with and fashioned my own world-view of the right way to parent. I sure would have been happy with the Internet then. I didn’t have it though. I made it through very well without it, but I sure would have been happy to have it.

Yes, sometimes I do feel overwhelmed by all the expert opinions and the media, the awesome amorphous amount of data. There’s so much to know and so little time. I like to stay informed. I still read newspapers, books and magazines. I don’t want them to go away. However, when I’m looking for something specific within a certain time I need the Internet. That’s what I like about the Internet. I can find both expert opinion and not-so-expert opinion on the Internet. And I can find it when I want. I can then take all the information, weigh it, think about it, talk to others and then make a decision.

The Internet changed my life by helping me continue to change and learn. It was Eric Hoffer, a very original autodidact, who said: “In a world of drastic change it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.”

I’m not Eloise. I’m not six. I don’t live at the Plaza. I don’t want to be Eloise any more. But, I still wouldn’t mind living at the Plaza as long as I have my Internet connection. The New York Public Library isn’t too far. And all those museums. Oh, and room service. I won’t even try for Eloise in Paris. Although, I’m ready since I know a few excellent web sites about Paris. Then I could really write about how the Internet changed my life.

Thank you, Suite101.com. And thank you to all the wonderful people here who answered every question I ever asked about how to manage my topic here. It is an honor to be a member of such an exceptional community of learners, seekers and Internet guides. It's been a great two years. I hope to be here for many more.

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