The Backward OX

Pundits tell us that newspapers and magazines and professional journals and television broadcasts are regulated for quality and accuracy.

TV regulated for accuracy? What a joke.

And they go on to say “Don’t rely on the Internet for research.”

But how is the Net any different to any other source? Whether in a newspaper or on TV or in a book or magazine or journal or on the Net, it is still only someone’s opinion.

So what’s wrong with the Net? (sarcasm implied)

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blademasterzzz

Who ever said not to rely on the net for research? That's ridiculous. Just make sure what information you use in research is properly sourced or is from a reputable publication, and just cross-check facts versus other sources when in doubt. Not terribly difficult.

ClancyBoy

Pundits don't get paid for writing on the internet.

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"Mother Hitton's Littul Kittons wait for you down there. Little pets they are, little little little pets. Cute little things, they say. Don't you believe it. No man ever saw them and walked away alive. You won't either. That's the final dash, flash. That's the utter clobber, cobber." --Cordwainer Smith, Norstrillia.

JoannaMac

Yep. I can understand your confusion though Ox, youse Queenslanders only just got internet ey?

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If you aint got nuffink, you can't lose it!

Rumrunner

I think the internet is increasingly accepted as a scholarly reference as the diversity of materials available on it increases. The bias likely stems from the fact that there always have been, and always will be, a lot of people who don't know what they're talking about spouting bs on the internet. Now, the same problem is equally true of print and broadcast media, and increasingly so, I believe, given the disturbing drive towards sensationalism-driven ratings (and consequent advertising revenues). The internet simply takes an old problem and democratizes it, adding a new degree of diversity. Coupled with the intrinsic laziness of many people when it comes to using common sense to sort the BS from the fact. Certainly, "peer-reviewed" texts are the best source for research, but in reality the internet today is an as-easy or easier way to access most professional peer-reviewed works anyway. [rant off\]

Basically, I concur with blademasterzzz's assesment, and I've never had a problem using internet sources in that way.

And incidentally, I'm a Queenslander by birth and loyalty, too, so don't feel too outnumbered, there...

Cheers,

Rumrunner

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"But as he gazed on truth his aching eyes grew dim...."
-- Byron, from Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, Canto the First

The Backward OX

Nope. Actually we’ve had it ever since little lunch. Found my version on top of the duchess at the train station when someone dropped it from their port while they were eating a peanut paste sandwich, ey.

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JoannaMac

Geez mate, lucky someone dropped their port ey? Otherwise you might never have got the net! I love Queensland by the way, I went to uni there. I've been living OS for the past ten years and usually tell people I'm from Brizzy, cos' all I get are blank stares when I tell them I'm from Adelaide

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If you aint got nuffink, you can't lose it!

The Backward OX

What a coincidence. Youse are the second female from Adelaide with dicky knees that I've bumped into on the Net. Must be something in that River Torrens water.

Ps Deep North cure for dodgy knees – soak a lemon in methylated spirits for two weeks. Throw out the lemon, apply the liquid as needed with cotton-wool swab.

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The Backward OX

I'm sorry I spoke. 'Twas all in fun.

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Rumrunner

Sorry, I didn't mean to come off as objectionable, Ox; I was rather agreeing with you.

Cheers,

Rumrunner

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"But as he gazed on truth his aching eyes grew dim...."
-- Byron, from Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, Canto the First

The Backward OX

Mmm. I knew that. Communication breakdown again. The written word is famous for it.

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biggles

Before the internet people would say I heard or I read somewhere that such and such said.. the generation that has grown up with it has never read a book before let alone looked at a dictionary or encyclopedia and recite any crap they've read.
Ironically, more people read today with the internet. Gotta be a plus.

The Backward OX

Umm, let me see if I have this right - you're saying that it's gotta be a plus to recite crap, is that it?

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biggles

reading has got to be a plus- GOD

PaPa

The source, not the medium, is what matters.

The problem is that it's a lot easier to find amateur bullshit on the internet than it is to find acceptable scholarly reference materials.

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