Ability Quote by Philip E. Agre
“It is commonly said that the Internet is unique in its ability to spread bad information to large numbers of people, but this is ridiculous, given that the Internet cannot begin to compete with CNN or the New York Times for this honour.”
About This Quote
The Internet is not uniquely prone to spreading misinformation; traditional media have long performed that role.
In simple terms: Internet isn’t the only source of false news.
Don’t blame the web alone for misinformation.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- social media platforms
- news consumption
- public education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we hold all media accountable?
- What mechanisms can improve truth verification?
Traditional outlets also amplify falsehoods, so focusing solely on the Internet is misleading.