Actually I disagree with that. I personally have gain a ton of information that I had zero knowledge on. Free Republic has really been a blessing for me. I know more about morals, politics, current events and other knowledge than ever before.
You can't, because I completely agree with you on every word you said after that. I learn something new every day, just because I'm surfing FR.
However, like you, I have always used the tools I had at the time to gain knowledge. Not everyone does. For many people, the internet is a place where everyone is supposed to learn all about how much THEY know, and how cool they are, and what they had for breakfast.
What I use it for is to find out what everyone else 'knows'.
P.S. You can disagree. I didn’t form my reply very intelligently.
I understand your disagreement with my original statement.
Consider yourself not a part of the ‘general public’, then see if you disagree with that statement.