Mashable had a fun infographic that talks about how Google is replacing our brains. I would argue that Google is replacing our parts of our memory, not our brains. We can still think about things, we just don’t always have to remember what those things are.
Google enables us to be curious about more things. The ability to find answers to questions immediately makes us more inquisitive. How do I do this? Where is this person? What is the best place for this?
Getting answers are good. Do we sacrifice some of our memory? Yeah. But I’d rather have answers than memory. (maybe… I need to think about that)
Intriguing topic of conversation, Matt! As a teacher, I often fret hearing automated, flippant,”I dunno, just Google it!” comments. Your post gave me a fresh perspective on Google search, though. I’m an advocate of inquiry-based learning…and will take curious minds seeking out an answer any day of the week! So, if Google inspires such cognition (and I believe it does!), then we owe Larry Page and Sergey Brin (creators of Google) a HUGE THANK YOU!*
That said, I think it’s essential that we all recognize the Google’s power for what it is: a resource that may further intellect. The old adage, “you’ll get out of it what you put into it,” applies here. When used appropriately with critical thinking, Google is a valuable asset which increases worldly knowledge. But use it as a shortcut for thinking too frequently, and that’s when the memory and true learning will go South;)
*Incidentally, I Googled the creators of Google:) Learn something new everyday, right?!
srsomers, I’m trying to think of what it was like when I was in school. I suppose that would be like a student saying, “I dunno, go to the library and look it up!” Which would be humorous, because then the teacher would say, “yeah, please!”
Is it fair to say that googling something is like going to the library?
Also, sometimes I think about how my brain works and how it’s been adapting over time and what my brain’s strengths are (and its weaknesses). I wonder if because I have less power in my brain in the memory area, if that gives me more strength in the inquisitive area. Because when I don’t remember as much, it makes me curious about things that I might have forgotten. Sort of like with the senses, where if you can’t see, you have better hearing.
But logic would say that the more you remember, the more you have to be inquisitive about.
Anyhow, but I do think I’ve managed to stengthen the creative part of my brain since college. But I haven’t really strengthened the memory part.
Thanks for the great comment, srsomers! 🙂