Google and other Internet sites aren't making us stupid: They're making us smarter, according to an overwhelming majority of 895 experts surveyed by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project and the Imagining the Internet Center at Elon University.
"Three out of four experts said our use of the Internet enhances and augments human intelligence, and two-thirds said use of the Internet has improved reading, writing and rendering of knowledge," study co-author Janna Anderson said in a statement Friday.
"There are still many people, however, who are critics of the impact of Google, Wikipedia and other online tools," said Anderson, director of the Imagining the Internet Center at North Carolina's Elon University.
Anderson and Lee Rainie, director of the Pew project, conducted the survey in response to author Nicholas Carr's July/August 2008 Atlantic Monthly cover story, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?"
Anderson and Rainie invited business executives, scientists, consultants, writers and tech developers "to share their views on the Internet's influence on the future of human intelligence." The survey was "opt-in," so it wasn't a representative sample.
From the Pew project's site at pewinternet.org, here's a selection of responses, including from Carr:
• Carr: "What the Net does is shift the emphasis of our intelligence, away from what might be called a meditative or contemplative intelligence and more toward what might be called a utilitarian intelligence. The price of zipping among lots of bits of information is a loss of depth in our thinking."
• Google chief economist Hal Varian: "Google will make us more informed. The smartest person in the world could well be behind a plow in China or India. Providing universal access to information will allow such people to realize their full potential, providing benefits to the entire world."
• Craigslist founder Craig Newmark: "People are already using Google as an adjunct to their own memory. For example, I have a hunch about something, need facts to support, and Google comes through for me. Sometimes, I see I'm wrong, and I appreciate finding that out before I open my mouth."
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Citation:Using Internet sites such as Google makes people smarter, survey says (2010, February 22)retrieved 30 December 2023from https://phys.org/news/2010-02-internet-sites-google-people-smarter.html
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As a technology enthusiast with a deep understanding of the impact of the internet on human intelligence, I am well-versed in the study you've mentioned, conducted by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project and the Imagining the Internet Center at Elon University. My expertise extends to the broader context of the internet's influence on cognition, and I can confidently navigate the nuances of this discussion.
The 2010 study, referenced in the article, sheds light on a crucial perspective: that the internet, particularly platforms like Google, doesn't make us "stupid" but, according to an overwhelming majority of 895 experts surveyed, actually contributes to making us smarter. This finding challenges the argument presented by Nicholas Carr in his July/August 2008 Atlantic Monthly cover story, "Is Google Making Us Stupid?"
Key findings from the survey include the assertion by three out of four experts that our use of the internet enhances and augments human intelligence. Moreover, two-thirds of the respondents expressed the belief that the internet has improved reading, writing, and the overall rendering of knowledge.
However, it is essential to note the existence of critics who raise concerns about the impact of Google, Wikipedia, and other online tools on cognitive abilities. Janna Anderson, the co-author of the study and director of the Imagining the Internet Center at Elon University, acknowledges the divergence in opinions and highlights the ongoing debate regarding the influence of these digital platforms.
Nicholas Carr, the author whose work inspired the survey, posits that the internet shifts the emphasis of our intelligence from a meditative or contemplative state towards a more utilitarian form. He suggests that the ease of accessing vast amounts of information comes at the cost of a potential loss of depth in our thinking.
Contrastingly, Hal Varian, Google's chief economist, presents an optimistic view. He argues that Google, and the internet in general, will make us more informed. Varian contends that universal access to information can unlock the potential of individuals around the world, fostering benefits for the entire global community.
Craigslist founder Craig Newmark provides a practical perspective, noting how people already use Google as an extension of their memory. He exemplifies how the instant access to information can aid individuals in fact-checking and refining their understanding before expressing their thoughts.
In conclusion, this study and the diverse opinions presented by experts reflect the ongoing dialogue about the impact of internet use on human intelligence. It showcases the contrasting views, from concerns about a potential loss of depth in thinking to the optimistic belief in the transformative power of universal access to information. As we navigate this digital age, it is crucial to consider these perspectives and engage in a thoughtful discourse about the evolving relationship between technology and human cognition.
