Is Google making us Stupid? Ian Wells

In the Article “ Is Google Making Us Stupid” Nickolas Carr discusses the effects of advancing technology in today’s society. Carr describes himself as an enthusiast of the Internet and uses Google and other search engines for research data for his books. The Internet gives us access to material quickly and has become a universal medium. Reading is not an instinctive skill that we can pick up easily, we have to constantly practice to keep are reading attention sharp. Carr says that technology has huge influences on our conscious mind. When the mechanical clock came into existence, people focused their lives around that time schedule to determine what to do throughout the day. Technological tools we invent tend to take over our perception of life; humanity almost tries to copy the aspects of the tools we use. The brain is extremely malleable and can be rewired to perform differently under unique circumstances. The Internet can access mass amounts of information within a short amount of time, so humanity tries to do the same by skimming through large articles reading the important parts the text to gain knowledge. Carr mentions that the inventors of Google want to create an A.I that can help the world; of course this would be one the hardest challenges of mankind, creating an evolving machine capable of pursuing impossible tasks no mere human could perform.

I believe Google is a fascinating device that can help many individuals find relevant information concerning their own agendas. Is Google making us stupid? Depends on who uses the Internet; Google definitely sidetracks us when we’re looking for information. I believe Google has the power to sway us from important issues, but is a huge information hub that can find relevant information concerning our interest with the world. With advancing technology it’s hard to understand the core functions of the Internet, computers, or cell phones. We tend to find alternate ways of achieving our goals. Communication is one of are ways of staying connected to the world without having to talk face to face. I think creating an A.I is somewhat inhuman. Creating an intelligent life form capable of learning from its mistake and learning from its guardian is inhuman because we’re forcing this A.I to become our slave and only do things relevant to the success of humanity. It seems Google believes creating an A.I is the hardest challenge because they don’t want to create a slave but a helpful life form that wants to assist humanity. An A.I is a difficult problem to solve; it would seem creating an A.I is not in the best interest of humanity. I know Google has the best interest for us, but they’re a business with that needs to think progressively in order to expand.