> We've fallen far, far short of the potential and dream of the Internet and the democratization of knowledge, and the state of things has become a norm; few even notice it or realize what they are missing.
Actually, the Internet has made this go backwards.
Most libraries had basic books on most subjects. And they could get other books as required.
Now, you can't find those basic books anymore on the shelves. "Oh, we can order that, it will be here in a week." Well, that's great, except that the book you ordered isn't a basic one. Oops. Well, there goes another week ...
And, even worse, computer stuff from about 1985-1996 probably isn't online. One of my humorous moments was watching a "Millenial" have to fix a VB6 program. The fact that the information he needed wasn't anywhere on the web gobsmacked the poor boy.
Actually, the Internet has made this go backwards.
Most libraries had basic books on most subjects. And they could get other books as required.
Now, you can't find those basic books anymore on the shelves. "Oh, we can order that, it will be here in a week." Well, that's great, except that the book you ordered isn't a basic one. Oops. Well, there goes another week ...
And, even worse, computer stuff from about 1985-1996 probably isn't online. One of my humorous moments was watching a "Millenial" have to fix a VB6 program. The fact that the information he needed wasn't anywhere on the web gobsmacked the poor boy.