I wonder whether this negative connotation is further reinforced by a modern culture in which education is often seen as valuable only in so far is it provides vocational skills, and where general knowledge is disparagingly called “trivia”.

Knowledge is rarely prized as a desirable thing in its own right; it is too often seen as a means to an end. Those with deep knowledge of a specific subject may be revered as experts, especially if they employ that knowledge in a professional capacity to earn a wage, but those who know only a little about something are dismissed as mere dabblers – the inference being that to dabble is to waste time and energy.

The cry “don’t give up your day job”, when levelled at the enthusiastic amateur, the taker of delight, the dilettante, misses the point entirely and sums up this wrong way of thinking. It sees value only in the expert and not in the very pleasurable experience of gaining expertise.

Then came an amazing demonstration of what Twitter can accomplish. In February of 2009, Stephen Fry gave a talk at The Apple Store in London. This talk was livetweeted, and it was through the #frytalk hashtag that I became aware that I was not just witnessing people giving their impressions, I was watching friends converse in real time.

Since that day, I have embraced Twitter because I’ve seen how acquaintances can be made and friendships forged with persons who live on different continents. I live in Chicago and have Twitter people whom I consider real friends, about whom I care very much, in England, Australia, New Zealand, and even Saudi Arabia. These are persons with whom one can share perspectives and experiences, from whom one can learn concepts and facts that would be otherwise overlooked.

In a very real sense, Twitter uses cultural differences to unite individuals. And that, I believe, is one of the social wonders of this young century.

As for being more informed, I don’t think I was – especially in relation to domestic issues. What it did do though was turn my attention to some other things I was interested in and, as a result, they have won the much loved place in my reader.

Do you feel that your fairfax-free week left you better informed? Outside of the mainstream ABC and SBS, did you come across any new or unexpected sources that have now found a place in your regular reading?