TOOLS THAT CHANGE THE WAY WE THINK

From Dr. Preston's blog: 

tools that change the way we think

"Back in 2004, I asked [Google founders] Page and Brin what they saw as the future of Google search. 'It will be included in people's brains,' said Page. 'When you think about something and don't really know much about it, you will automatically get information.'

'That's true,' said Brin. 'Ultimately I view Google as a way to augment your brain with the knowledge of the world. Right now you go into your computer and type a phrase, but you can imagine that it could be easier in the future, that you can have just devices you talk into, or you can have computers that pay attention to what's going on around them and suggest useful information.'

'Somebody introduces themselves to you, and your watch goes to your web page,' said Page. 'Or if you met this person two years ago, this is what they said to you... Eventually you'll have the implant, where if you think about a fact, it will just tell you the answer."

-From In the Plex by Steven Levy (p.67)

I would definitely say that the use of technology today has changed the way I think in many different aspects, and that if I only had the resources that my parents had I would probably think a whole different way. First off I would say that it has possibly shortened my attention span. When I am doing homework, and especially when I don't quite understand the problems I am working on, I find myself checking social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Even when I am with my family or friends I have the desire to check these sites. But it hasn't only affected me negatively; because of the internet I have learned things and had experiences I wouldn't have even dreamed of. This whole class, well most of it, wouldn't be possible without the Internet, and I wouldn't be able to access nearly as much information in the click of a button. Depending on how you use the Internet, it can open you up to a way of thinking that you wouldn't know of outside of your town and community, or it can almost brainwash you to continue to think the same way as everyone else. Like most tools, media and the Internet will only be as helpful to you as you allow it to be.