Is Google Making Us Stupid?
There have been debates as to whether Google should be viewed as a blessing or as a vice. Those campaigning against the use of Google have come up with strong reasons, but another party comprising of individuals who have benefited from it have proof to show that it is a rich source in knowledge bearing information that is beneficial to our lives and dynamic culture. Google is used as a reference to all fields of study of which anyone can think. The purpose of this essay is to come up with an argument for the two sides, discuss in detail and weigh the prepared points to determine whether the internet is beneficial or just doing more harm to the human population. Google is used mostly in research, study lessons, finding references or partaking project-related activities. In this case, the focus will be on scientific, academic, and social perspectives, which will prove that Google does not make humans stupid.
The use of the internet sites such as Google has led to more use and functioning of the brain (Gelb 13). Research indicates that those who are familiar with the use and functions of the internet are capable of comprehending and interpreting information well as compared to those who do not use the internet (Chivers 1). The vast information available on the World Wide Web has enabled individuals to increase creativity and expand their imagination. If compared to book-learning alone, the internet is far much better in challenging the brain because of the multiple versions that talk about one topic.
More information is offered and can be easily found the internet. The previous generations did well without Google and succeeded without it, and this age group could probably be the one protesting against this new technology probably because they feel the present generation is being spoon-fed. The truth is that book learning has come a long way into establishing a civilization. By the seventeenth century, all politicians in England and France were required to be literate and knowledgeable. Book learning created the alphabet system of reading and writing. As much as it has been credited for much, the internet can do a lot more if given the same time frame. Not only will it spread knowledge to all but enhance technology as well.
The internet, mainly Google has improved the reading culture as compared to the earlier times. It is believed that the previous generations were more into books compared to today’s; that they read novels during their free time (Lyons 21). This is debatable although, it was only the elite who had reading resources. There is a difference between culture and lifestyle. Google might have negatively influenced our lifestyle, but the reading culture is still the same. The change in the modern curriculum of education could not be accommodated by the older system and structure. The internet only supplements the system, and it is evident scholars and learners have benefited from the support.
The change in times that has been brought about by the rapid increase in technology has led to the heavy reliance on Google. It is true and evident that some fields of study have made books be rendered outdated because there are cases whereby some information might be missing in those books. They include of quantum physics, rocket science, and particle acceleration or ionization. Most of the information regarding modern science can be found stored in the virtual cloud even though there are publications too, relating to the topics. It means that the scholars and learners are given the option to choose, and accessing the information through Amazon is much simpler than browsing the library (Pinker 1).
It is imperative to consider a few factors that oppose the arguments discussed above. As much as Google has enhanced people’s knowledge, its use is accompanied by myriads of vices that make people look stupid as postulated by Carr. Notably, the internet provides a lot of information which makes readers complacent, making a minimum effort to remember various perspectives particular those acquired in learning settings. A study in the United States showed that those who lived without the internet and are products of book-learning tend to memorize and remember what they read more as compared to the individuals who read online and proved that they have a shorter memory span. Too much data from the internet makes an individual fail to prioritize information and know what is important and what is not. The fact that everything is already researched means that the reader merely has to interpret and paraphrase.
Concentration is difficult due to the distractions that occur when using Google. It is very hard to research on the web without opening other windows to read other topics that are out of context with the main detractor being social media (Pinker 1). These distractions make it difficult for the user to interpret quickly and comprehend information being fed into the brain (Carr 1).
In conclusion, it is worth noting that Google has revolutionized the human culture in contrary to Carr’s statement. It does not necessarily make us stupid. The reading culture has come a long way. More information is easily accessed over the web by the tap of a gadget. Individuals can cope with the dynamic nature of technology, and finally, it is more involving as compared to book reading since one can access more than one source or type of information. As such, Google has enlightened us more than it has corrupted.
Works Cited
Carr, Nicholas. The Shallows: What The Internet Is Doing To Our Brains. W. W. Norton & Company, 2011.
Chivers, Tom. “Internet Use ‘May Improve Brain Function in Adults.” The Telegraph 2009.
Gelb, Michael J. and Kelly Howell. Brain Power: Improve Your Mind As You Age. World Library, 2012.
Lyons, Martyn. Reading Culture & Writing Practices In The Ninteenth-Century France. University of Toronto Press, 2013.
Pinker, Steven. Mind Over Mass Media. New York Times, 2010.