With the amazingly enhanced ability to reference knowledge, will "learned" knowledge decrease? Why learn the dates of the American Civil War when you can look it up on the browser on your cell phone?

Much like the paradox of the Internet -- a social technology that reduces social interaction -- the "Knowledge Economy" just might reduce what people actually know (along with a cruddy educational system).

A few years ago, I was buying tickets to a movie at the box office. Tickets were $8. I asked for two. She said that will be $20. "Excuse me?"

"$20," she said.

"Two $8 tickets are $20?" She nodded.

"8 + 8 = 20?"

"Oh, sorry," she said, punching in the right combination on the computer.