if we were forced to choose just one, there would be no way to deny that Judaism is the most important intellectual development in human history.

Computers make people stupid.

Surprise is the beginning of wisdom.

While we bemoan the decline of literacy, computers discount words in favor of pictures and pictures in favor of video. While we fret about the decreasing cogency of public debate, computers dismiss linear argument and promote fast, shallow romps across the information landscape. While we worry about basic skills, we allow into the classroom software that will do a student's arithmetic or correct his spelling.

Beauty is the ultimate defense against complexity.

The future was and remains the quintessential American art form. Other nations sit back and let their futures happen; we construct ours. We can let the future happen, or take the trouble to imagine it. We can imagine it dark or bright - and in the long run, that's how it will be.

If this is the information age, what are we so well-informed about?