I was thinking today, and what I really meant when I was whining about my brother giving me a hard time about my question is that Google is only as good as the sites it returns, and just because a site is at the top of the list doesn’t mean that it is worthwhile at all. (In fact, I usually skip down a few sites because the top ones usually suck… I haven’t seen that “I’m feeling lucky” button in a while… Maybe because it never works.)
When I want to learn more about a subject I know nothing about, I ask someone who I think knows more about it so that they can send me to a resource that won’t send me astray.
I think the next “class division” will be between people who are able to evaluate resources (through their own experience and their circle of friends’ experiences) and people who use Myspace.com.
That's actually one of our hiring criteria at work. My boss picks out possible contenders, then I send them on goose chases to find info on the web, and then look at what sites they used to get me the answers. (We do other things too, like interview.) Class divide, here we come.
Wait, now that I think about it… I do that part because my boss doesn't have the skill. Does that undercut the arguement that the class divide is on its way?
Remember that in 2006 Myspace hadn't been “cleaned up” by the facebook influence.
You and the new hires are on one side and your boss is on the other, with the people you don't hire.