We live at one of the most exciting times in history. Not since the invention of the printing press set the Dark Ages ablaze and gave birth to the Renaissance has there been such potential for a sweeping reinvention of human culture.

Before the printing press, all literature was hand-written. Most of Europe was illiterate. Books were rare and valuable. Only governments, churches, and very wealthy individuals could afford books. Even the largest libraries numbered only a few hundred chain-secured volumes (My home library today has more volumes than did the Royal Library of the King of France -- the second largest library in the world). The exchange of ideas was relatively slow and cumbersome. As a result, the advance of knowledge was halting and unsure. When Johannes Gutenberg (his real name was Johannes Gutenberg Gensfleisch -- or Gooseflesh -- for some reason he chose to go by his middle name :^)) -- when Gutenberg invented moveable type in the fifteenth century, all of that changed. With the ability to quickly and cheaply print ideas came an interchange that accelerated culture in a hitherto unimagined way.

The number of books in circulation soared. Eight million volumes were printed in the first few decades. Many people of every class learned how to read -- especially the youth. Authoritarian institutions were challenged by the newly questioning masses.

Along with the publication of reliable information came a resurgence of every ancient splinter philosophy and heresy. Pornography flourished. The Church seized on this as an example of the dangers of the internet, oops -- I mean printing press, and tried to restrict access. A Papal Bull ordered the burning of books not approved by the Pope. But once this groundswell started, it couldn't be stopped. The quality issues sorted themselves out over time. People learned, more or less, who and what they could trust. Over the next century, much of the most beautiful science and literature and sculpture and political philosophy and painting were born from this vast continental interchange.

The internet is to paper books what the printing press was to hand-written texts. The wild increase in the world-wide exchange of ideas and information promises to give birth to changes that far surpass those of the Renaissance. We stand at the exciting early stages of labor.

Along with much of value on the internet, there is much that is unimportant and untrue. Anyone (with a computer and a little bit of skill) can publish on the world wide web. There is no reigning body to control what is published. Some in authority are afraid, because people will be misled. I have heard well known and prestigious physicians publically defame the internet and warn against looking here for medical information -- unless perhaps it carries the Papal, oops I mean medical association stamp of approval.

There are no governing bodies to censor the information on Web sites. This is both the Web's greatest weakness and its greatest strength. Because information does not go through the long process of editing by person after person, or worse yet, committee after committee, it can be quickly and easily made available. Often, however, quality is lacking.

The people of the world are quickly becoming computer literate -- starting with the youth. Computers, once only owned by governments and large corporations, are now commonplace in developed countries and are becoming increasingly available even in the most remote areas of the world. Issues of quality and truth will sort themselves out. People will begin to learn who and what they can trust. Professional organizations and consumer groups can help speed this process by critically evaluating Web sites and educating us all. Already, though, we have more information at our fingertips than at any time in history.

At a time when economic forces are making doctors' visits briefer, less frequent, and less personal, the challenges of raising children are becoming ever more complex. DrGreene.com is dedicated to using information technology to make pediatric wisdom more accessible than ever before.

Here at DrGreene.com, I respond to representative questions from readers. I research each question thoroughly - accessing the latest scientific studies and medical journal articles written in the language of physicians. I consider all the information I have available, as well as my own experience as a physician and a father. I then explain complex issues in a style intended to give you a well-grounded understanding of your own children, their health and their illnesses.

It is the readers' responsibility to consider the source of the information, to consider the reasoning in the articles and then to decide, along with their physicians, if the information is applicable and valuable.

The internet does not replace a partnership with your own physician. I would not be my own children's doctor, even with all of my training -- nor should you. But by giving you information, wisdom, and perspective, I am equipping you to partner with your physician in a new and richer way.

Thank you for taking the time to visit DrGreene.com. I invite you to explore our site and take with you any information that may be helpful to you.

Alan Greene, MD, FAAP