I learned on the TEDblog that Wikipedia -- the free online encyclopedia that is edited by the people and for the people -- might go print [read CNN report].
To me, Wikipedia is an amazing concept that reflects the democratization of the internet. It allows the everyman and everywoman to learn something new each day and to add to this knowledge base when appropriate. It is free (albeit requiring internet access) and geared toward the layperson, so it is not overly abstract or written in Alan Greenspan-esque language.
Growing up, I remember that people used to try to memorize one new vocabulary word a day or try to memorize a bible verse a day (okay, it was my mom). For me, I have been visiting Wikipedia each day to learn a new fact.
I know it is an excessive amount of trivia to acquire on a daily basis. I sometimes wonder how much extra brain capacity I would have for other, more purposeful activities, if I didn't have so much trivial knowledge. But I look at it from the other perspective. Learning something new each day keeps my mind sharp and ever expanding. Sort of like doing crossword puzzles each day. I hope it will keep me cognitively sharp into old age. Then again, maybe that's just the academician in me.
Posted by richlee at November 1, 2005 11:32 PM