"Is Google Making Us Stupid?"

I have always believed that technology is hampering the way we think. The calculator, for instance, has always been my best friend. But it has changed the way my brain thinks about math. Instead of doing long mathematical problems in my head, I go straight for the calculator.

It was surprising when one day in math class our teacher required us to do long division without our calculators. It was even more surprising when many of the students couldn’t remember how to do it. The internet is just one of the technologies that are keeping the human brain from thinking creatively and solving problems, just like the calculator. Phones and texting is another one of those rampant technologies. Texting has changed the way that people interact. As it goes, children are becoming less and less social. They are not learning how to go up to another person and talk to them. And why should they?  If all of their “friends,” all the people they would ever need to talk to, can be reached through their phone.

I do not have a phone and kids act like I am crazy. “Why don’t you have a phone?” And I respond that my parents won’t buy me one and I’m not going to buy one. I have talked to some adults about my phonelessness and they congratulate me. They tell me that my parents are intelligent people. I agree with them.  There are many times when I am glad I don’t have the distraction in my life. Granted there have been incidents were I have been stuck somewhere, without being able to reach my parents. But it’s a learning experience. And I can honestly say I will never be in an accident because I was texting while driving.  Just can’t happen if you don’t own a phone. Nor will I spend hours a day on my phone. I can’t even get in trouble for texting during class.

Technology has kept our brains from thinking hard. From concentrating and remembering. The brain is a muscle. My mom always says “use it or lose it”. I do believe that using Google, and other forms of technology is making our thought processes weaker. But I also believe that there is a way to reverse the effects. Our brains are out of shape, so to speak. And just like doing a sport for the first time, it’s probably going to be hard and seem useless. But eventually, it will all be worth it.

Spending less time on our phones, computers, and other devices, will help make our brains stronger. Because it will force them to work, to think, to take in and hold information. Let us not be “pancake people”, let us be the more intelligent of species.