Is the internet making us stupid?
More than 450 people turned up to a debate on this topic organised by Intelligence Squared Asia, a non-profit organisation which says it aims to promote 'creative thought and challenging dialogue in the region'. Speaking for the motion was Thomas Crampton, from Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, together with Jeremy O'Grady, editor-in chief of The Week, a UK-based weekly news magazine.
Against the motion were Jimmy Wales, an American internet entrepreneur best known as the founder of Wikipedia, and Kaiser Kuo, director of international relations for Baidu, China's leading search engine, though probably better known as a writer and co-founder of China's first and most successful heavy metal band Tang Dynasty. This line-up pulled out Hong Kong's beautiful people and a fair smattering of the jacket and jeans set.
The audience was polled for their views before the debate, with 108 in favour of the motion, 190 against and 50 undecided.
After more than two hours of decidedly un-stupid debate the result was almost a tie, with a big swing in favour of the motion, to 177, while those against fell to a still winning 180, with five undecided. For a further discussion of this issue, look on the internet. We rest our case.
Mining muddle