Alec Hogg: Cyrus Cylinders and Ricardo Semler – a reminder of how little we really know

By Alec Hogg

Since returning to the city three years ago, our Apple TV has come into its own. Combined with broadband, this little friend opens a window into the world wide web that trumps a thousand libraries. Last night, for instance, we watched an excellent TED Talk by the original business maverick Ricardo Semler and then got totally absorbed in British Museum curator Neil MacGregor’s story of the Cyrus Cylinder and why this 2 500 year old artefact holds the key to Middle East peace.

While watching these advert-free, world-class presentations, a couple things occurred to me. First, that democratisation of education is really here. The Internet means anyone with a cell phone, bandwidth and hunger for knowledge starts on the same level as their future competitor raised in the most privileged place on earth.

Also how such easy access to knowledge introduces a massive cultural challenge for those of us who make a living peddling information. The centuries-old one directional thrust has ended. Teacher can no longer safely regurgitate the curriculum. Editor cannot simply impose their world view without fear of dissent. The Internet requires a daily dose of humility. Only Google knows everything. The rest of us do best by starting from the base where we appreciate there is much to learn – and a great deal we don’t know that we don’t know.


Yesterday’s top stories:

Kellermann, Cosgrove answer Belvedere scandal specifics

UPDATED WITH FOLLOW-UPS: Kellermann and Cosgrove come on the record

UPDATED WITH LETTER: Belvedere: Kellermann’s Basileus connection

The Game: Ultimate Talent v Capital clash – Lionel Messi available at R1.5bn a year

Germanwings crash: “One day everyone will know my name” – Andreas Lubitz


 

Subscribe to Alec Hogg’s free daily newsletter

[mc4wp_form]

Visited 26 times, 1 visit(s) today