If Krugman and Bernanke were correct in believing inflation has a positive influence on the workforce, Zimbabwe and Argentina would both be paragons of how to achieve full employment.

FORBES: Why Higher Inflation Destroys Jobs

Daniel thinks the work of inspection teams has had a positive influence on schools.

BBC: Lay inspectors needed for schools

And its proximity to Wall Street, which has embraced the iPad, has been a strong positive influence, said Baroudi.

FORBES: Long Island University deploys 6,000 iPads, may double that next year

Wilkin says Fa'asavalu, who has spent four seasons with Saints, has already had a positive influence on the Lions squad.

BBC: Wilkin backs Fa'asavalu selection

To be sure, there are many other things happening over the past six or seven decades impacting these outcomes, but it is hard to see how higher education has had much of a positive influence.

FORBES: Government Should Exit Higher Ed

In gold bulls favor, the market has been under the influence of a positive turn in the 9-day relative strength index since early November.

FORBES: Technical Trading: Gold Signals Strong, Dip Buying Mentality Seen

On the positive side, recent elections showed that there has been a decline in the influence of overtly Islamist parties.

WSJ: Indonesia Is a Model Muslim Democracy

Whether information is justifiable, correct or worthwhile clearly has an impact on whether social networking's inevitable influence on educational methods will be a positive or a negative one.

ECONOMIST: The Economist Debate Series: Education