Ignorance of the Modern Age: Neo-Ignorance
The world has witnessed a digital revolution with the millennium. Now, our source of information has become our smartphones. Computer and software technology have developed a lot. It is possible to access all kinds of information easily in a very short time in the digital environment. Prof. Tayfun Uzbay stated that those who could not read and write in the past were called ignorant and said that there are neo-ignorant individuals who are education and are not aware of what they know or do not know, and they think that the first information they reach is correct. Stating that social media and the Internet have become the main interaction area of neo-ignorance, Uzbay pointed out that some experts support the spread of information pollution for the sake of popularity.
Üsküdar University, Faculty of Medicine, Head of the Department of Internal Medical Sciences and Head of the Department of Medical Pharmacology, Prof. Dr. Tayfun Uzbay informed on neo-ignorance which is called the ignorance of the modern age.
The neo-ignorant people are not aware of what they know and what they do not know
Stating that with the spread of digitalization and the development of computer and software technologies, it is possible to reach all kinds of information easily and in a very short time in the digital environment, Prof. Tayfun Uzbay said that "In the past, 'ignorant' was generally used for an illiterate person because it was very important to be able to read written information. Today, literacy has increased all over the world apart from some primitive and undeveloped communities. On the other hand, the networks that we have on smartphones or computers have also created their own writing language. Now it is possible to tell many things with an emoji. There is also a unique communication language without following the rules of grammar or spelling. Here we are confronted with the ignorance of the modern age, which is much more widespread than before. Some call this neo-ignorance, the 'new ignorance.'”. Stating that the neo-ignorant can read and write, Uzbay said that "They can even speak a foreign language very well. They may even have finished college. So, why are they ignorant? Because they are not aware of what they know and what they do not know in the first place, that is, their limits. Secondly, they are prejudiced and absolutely sure of what they know. This is because the digital revolution spreads information pollution and disinformation as well as the real information it provides, and people think that the first information they reach is true. What is worse is that they feel comfortable commenting on every piece of information they read, even in specialized areas that require expertise, and even they are criticizing experts. As a result, neo-ignorant people emerge, whose numbers and self-confidence are increasing every day. They think they know everything from health to agriculture, from climate to space. However, both they and their environment can be harmed due to wrong information and their perceptions are easily managed.".
Social media and the Internet have become the main interacting area of neo-ignorance
Uzbay argued that social media and the Internet have become the main area of influence and interaction of the neo-ignorant and said that "When a professor gives information about their field, this group that is described as neo-ignorant who never has the opportunity to come together, say or discuss their word in normal life, can easily be involved in the process through social media and the Internet. The digital environment allows them to participate in the discussion and even insult them as if they were academics.". Adding that social media and the Internet provide a suitable environment for wrong information and disinformation, Uzbay continued his remarks and warned that "Here you reach wrong and harmful information as well as accurate and useful information. This creates risks for those who do not have in-depth knowledge and for children, if it comes down to health, for patients as well.”.
Neo-ignorance is getting much stronger and organized
Noting that neo-ignorance is getting much stronger and organized gradually, Prof. Tayfun Uzbay stated that "The most important problem is the spread of disinformation or misinformation and causing some social damages. Sometimes these are supported by some academics for various reasons and especially to be popular or gain followers. In this case, society is confused. We have seen the extent to which anti-vaccination has reached in the Covid-19 pandemic. A supposedly educated segment of the population that was not related to the field of health, including engineers, architects and software developers, directly defended ignorance and received support from some academics. Examples can be duplicated. To give an example of concrete results, measles which has been removed from the health agenda as a result of the increase in anti-vaccination, has re-emerged and started to cause deaths in children.". Uzbay also evaluated the setting and dose of experience sharing that stands out with digitalization and completed his remarks as follows: "Law and ethics should address this area. Legal arrangements that are fair and do not restrict freedom of opinion but do not compromise on the spread of disinformation that can harm society are necessary. Moreover, ethical awareness should be created in society and the ethical behavior pattern should be rewarded.".
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)