Google: The Solution to Thinking

I saw this bit on Conan last night, and I too have wondered the same thing in the past… where would we be today without Google?

It’s extremely important for me to get away from technology once in a while. It’s a stress reliever and a renewing revelation when you’re not connected to the matrix of information online. Seriously, one weekend or even one day on a weekend, try living without any internet, tv, or cell phone. Plan beforehand and do it! Explore Boston, go for a hike, play sports outside… Does it sound like a difficult task? Isn’t that sad? What do you think people did before the technology overload? The time spent away will be refreshing and you’ll get that sense of wonder and unknowing back. Trust me. Even if it’s just for a moment.

It is the reason why loneliness and depression are so prevalent today, and it’s no wonder! Our human and natural interactions are severely limited. We were meant to be around people, not screens.

Anyways, that’s my rant. Also, SullTV, I’d consider the implications of knowledge vs. intelligence. One who knows everything isn’t necessarily a smart person. That’s one thing I don’t think Google will ever change. Intelligence (smartness) will always be based on inheritance… that is until Google starts messing with our DNA.

Hey Sull.Tv – first time long time.
I often have a similar conversation with my father, who will be 61 this June. He argues that due to the amount of technology at our fingertips, kids today don’t know how to do research or learn, and simply “google” things instead. As a result, most term papers, essays, etc., contain the same recycled information because everyone clicks on the same Top 5 links from Google (that includes Wikipedia, Cups). He claims that this waters down the information that students learn, but I disagree. For a student that knows how to research, a new world of information is at his/her disposal. Just think – instead of having to leaf through every book in a library section, all the exact same titles are located on a screen in front of you. For a student willing to put in the effort, the resources are available like never before.

But I digress. To bring this back to google, and your question as to whether it positively or negatively impacts our lives. To a person already looking for the easy way out (by using Sparknotes, etc.) Google serves as a crutch and is mostly reinforcing their notion that, “Why do I have to read? That shit’s already online somewhere.”
HOWEVER, to a person that’s interested in learning WHY – someone interested in gaining knowledge, not just facts – Google provides all the tools they need. It not only provides one with the Sparknotes version of a book, but an eBook version of it as well. With a few clicks, you can also find out more information about the author [than the book jacket would provide], the setting of the book, and critical reaction to it.

Sure, Google can provide a shortcut for many, which can quickly develop into a crutch. However, to those that believe “Knowledge Is Power” and strive to attain more and more of it (knowledge or power), Google is a tool, and an incredibly valuable one at that.

Quick Example: I googled “D Cups” in honor of a certain left-handed pitcher known to some (keep the search results t ‘Web’, not ‘Images’). Sure enough, the 5th response down is from UrbanDictionary.com telling me that a D Cup is a, “bra for the boob size that typically won’t fit in your mouth.” Thanks google, I learned something new today.