The Ideas Era Part 1 Over the Threshold explained that, in the final decade of the Twentieth Century, what we called the Information Age began to give way to another Age. That things have changed since the 1999 is obvious but the obvious is taken for granted. The proof of that is that we’ve forgotten to name this Age.
We’ve had lots of “Ages”, the Middle Ages, the Classical Age, the Age of Reason also known as the Age of Enlightenment, the Age of Innocence, the Gilded Age, the Industrial Age, and most recently, the Information Age. Then what? There are abundant references to end of the Age of Deference, so The Age of Insolence was tempting but that sounded like a label a sullen elitist might apply and I do not wish to be thought sullen.
Clearly naming our Age has fallen to me. It was easier than I’d expected once I got on the Road to Wisdom.
The road to Wisdom
Classically the road to wisdom starts at data, runs through information, ideas, opinions, knowledge, and ends at wisdom. We’d passed through the Information Age already so that ticked off the first two. Knowledge connotes accuracy and understanding so Knowledge Age is out, and the Wisdom Age would be risible. That left ideas and opinions. Certainly, both are abundant. “Ideas” was the obvious choice. It is next in line after “information” and ideas are the Lego blocks of opinions.
The Age of Ideas has a majestic ring, and I was proud to have coined it. A Google search put paid to that conceit. There were many, many hits for the Age of Ideas. Too many sounded New Age-ish and “New Age” sounds more aged than new. So, I opted for Ideas Era because it enjoys less currency. For consistency’s sake I went back and renamed the industrial and information ages as eras.
Right lane must exit
Idea comes from the Greek word "form or shape," and "to see".
Ideas are sometimes said to be organized information. But ideas are dual fuel vehicles that run on information and misinformation. No prizes for guessing which has the higher octane rating.
Ideas include “groundless supposition and fantasy”1– a definition to cherish because of the Ideas Exit on the road to wisdom. Until recently it led eventually to a lonely cul de sac of rusting ideas. Today it is a busy 8-lane off ramp to a non-stop demolition derby where ideas compete without regard to pedigree
On the Shoulders of Ye Giants starts to explain why. It’s another glance into the obvious but it’s conveniently packaged.
Dictionary.com https://www.dictionary.com/browse/idea. I also like this bit of lexicological whimsy which appears so often I don’t know who to credit, “Idea, a thought or collection of thoughts that generate in the mind. An idea is usually generated with intent but can also be created unintentionally.”