The world of knowledge at my fingertip in 2005 had given me immense hope and satisfaction. Besides, being able to publish instantly seemed to be the greatest empowerment. Yet, it means almost nothing after two dacades. Knowledge remains as confused as ever. Internet has become a vehicle of propaganda instead of an avenue for genuine search for knowledge or seeking to get at the root of things. There are many reasons behind this phenomenon.
Software being the base of this whole affair, prosperity allied to it altered the social and economic paradigm. Media turned a player on its own thus nagating its own definition. The role of the editor or curator became redundant. In an act of rebellion and revenge, the baby was thrown out along with the bathwater. Concern for survival forced clinging to whatever is paid for instead of what should be pushed. Further, a new uncertainty principle reigned after the certainty of a specific place of birth.
Scholars and Professors were never given their due by the media. They were further relegated to the background by the new keyboard content creators. Even Google search treats them as outcaste by putting them in limbo. They also prefer to distance themselves from the general public by resorting to increasing jargonified lingo. Thus, where there is a semblance of searching for truth in an objective manner remains behind the curtains.
But since most of what is written is commissioned, it is not difficult to decipher the underlying political agenda. Selective amnesia and intellectual dishonesty is rampant. Banishing important resources from University syllabus is weaponised to the hilt. Most institutions meant for intellectual leadership and direction stand discredited. But many would argue that the problem lies in the basic nature of knowledge itself which has no intrinsic fixity.
