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[|Stop Dave, I'm afraid!]

A. Smarter B. Stupid C. None of the Above D. It’s a matter of opinion  Nicholas Carr states in his article “[|"Is Google Making Us Stupid?"] that he feels like someone or something has been tinkering with his brain or reprogramming his memory. He knows his way of thinking is changing, especially when it comes to reading. Additionally, his concentration is just not the same as it used to be. In his opinion, the Net is chipping away his capacity for concentration and contemplation. His mind is now used to taking information the way the Net distributes “in a swiftly moving stream of particles” (p. 2).
 * Is Google Making Us? **

A recent research study, completed by scholars from the University College London, proved Carr’s assumptions by concluding that we are in the midst of change in the way we read and think. The study found, that instead of reading, people skim through the net without ever reading a full article. They may save it, but it is unknown if they return to read it. In the article, Wolf explains that reading is not an instinctive skill; we must first translate the symbols into a language we can understand. Something to consider is the fact that the media and technology take an important part in shaping our brains. According to Carr, the clock has taken something from us, “we stopped listening to our senses and started obeying the clock” (p. 4). With the arrival of the clock, we started thinking of our brains as operating like a clock. With the arrival of computers, we started operating like computers. Even though this is simply a metaphor, Carr explains that the adaptation of the brain occurs also at the biological level.

Google’s mission is “to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful” (p.6). Consider that, both Brin and Page, GOOGLE founders, speak frequently of their desire to turn their search engine into an artificial intelligence and do it on a large scale. They are assuming that we would be better off if our brains were supplemented or replaced by artificial intelligence. Carr highly stresses the importance of reading. He says that reading is important not just for the knowledge we acquire, “but for the intellectual vibrations those words set off within our own minds” (p. 7).

In the article “[|"Get Smarter"]//”//, Cascio states that humanity nearly went extinct during the ice age. He claims that people survived because they adapted and evolved in response to the demands of the ice age. Survival was achieved because the brain changed to meet the challenges. He also states that we no longer need to rely on natural evolution to survive because now we have technology and pharmacology to boost our intelligence. He believes that in the future there will be breakthroughs in genetic engineering and artificial intelligence. In his opinion, the impact of artificial intelligence is that we need to start thinking that we live in an entirely new era. This new era is referred to in his article as //Nöocene epoch// which refers to “a collective consciousness created by the deepening interaction of human minds” (p. 2).

In his article, Cascio doesn’t specify what Intelligence Augmentation is. He does specify that it is not a chip implanted in the brain, so what exactly is artificial intelligence? He mentions some contributors to increasing intelligence include: written language, radio, telegraph, television, the rise of urbanization, and industrial technology. Cascio says that we are at the beginning stage of exploring the information that is at our fingertips. In his opinion, Google isn’t a problem; it’s a solution and believes that the age of the cyborg and the super-genius is here. He also talks about the possibility of attaching a system to our digital devices that can then make suggestions without explicit prompting. Pharmacology is here, not in the future. Cascio states that there are drugs that can enhance intelligence. He says that there is a large group of professional people using these drugs at the present time including himself. He proclaims that this drug not only helps him stay awake, but it also helps him feel smarter. He goes on to say that studies have shown that the drug “modafinil confers a measurable cognitive-enhancement effect across a variety of mental tasks, including pattern recognition and spatial planning, and sharpens focus and alertness” (p. 5).

Is Google making us stupid or smarter? My answer to the question is that it is a matter of opinion. There definitely needs to be some balance. When we have a vast amount of information at our fingertips, there needs to be moderation, in this case, when using technology. Although, we don’t need to go to the library and check out encyclopedias to do research, it is very important not to lose track of how valuable reading is. When it comes to using the Net, it could be very useful, but let’s remember that technology is simply a tool for automation and connectivity. We must also remember, that when a Google research is being done, Google, along with other companies collect information about the topic. What does Google do with this information? It later feed it to the consumer in a form of unwanted advertisement.

I can understand why Brin and Page don’t want us to read and why they make everything so simple and convenient. They claim that “The human brain is just an outdated computer that needs a faster processor and a bigger hard drive” (p. 6), really? What are they doing about it? Is their solution artificial intelligence? As Carr says, “It’s in their economic interest to drive us to distraction” (p. 6). Which will it be? Artificial intelligence or pharmacology?

We have been working diligently, educating our children and students to stay away from drugs and Cascio’s message to our youth is, use drugs, they will make you smarter. It doesn’t make sense to me at all. Cascio states that he uses the drug modafinil (Provigil), himself, “everybody’s doing it, and if you’re not, you’re probably falling behind” (p. 5). I wonder how long he will continue to use this drug and if he has done his own research and Goggled the side-effects of modafinil after prolonged use. I did my homework and found out that after people take the drug for several years, it can cause the following effects: major depression, crying hysterically, suicidal ideation, and feeling of hopelessness. Some people said that they would never take the drug again. Knowing this information, would I ever consider taking the drug or asking anyone to take it? My answer is, NO! My response to Cascio would be that I would be more than happy to fall behind. The true knowledge and power source should always be within the user, not the device.