it is the quality of the communication channels (the signal to noise ratio) between individuals. Diffusion of high quality information (from any early age) is what enables individuals to both internalize state-of-the-art collective mental models and incrementally contribute their own bit.
in theory with the use of digital networks we should have a quantum leap forward but I am not sure we have seen yet any dividend of that. our collective (digitally intermediated) brain has been hijacked by less noble objectives
Very interesting ideas, thanks. At least today, your theory played out.
>in theory with the use of digital networks we should have a quantum leap forward but I am not sure we have seen yet any dividend of that. our collective (digitally intermediated) brain has been hijacked by less noble objectives
It's not just less noble objectives. With high quality information available, people still choose poor info or mis/disinfo. Nobody I know is interested in quality information, even very educated people. Even here on HN, most sources are Wikipedia.
in theory with the use of digital networks we should have a quantum leap forward but I am not sure we have seen yet any dividend of that. our collective (digitally intermediated) brain has been hijacked by less noble objectives