The Internet is Making Us Smarter

For all the negatives that the internet is associated with, such as spam, pornography, and phishing scams, it does have some very positive effects on the world.  You get to read blogs like this one, even though that's not all that positive.  We all know about the efficient commerce that is made possible through search engines like Google, sites like Craigslist or eBay, but I think one of the rarely mentioned benefits is that it makes us, (meaning those with web access), smarter.  In "the old days," if you had a question or wondered something, you just told yourself you'd look it up one day… and then you most likely forgot, or had to wait until the library opened again.  Once you arrived at the library, it was never certain that the information you wanted would be available.  Now, with the world at your fingertips, you look it up instantly.  Not only that, but when I look up facts, I'm usually sharing them with others I know.  Additionally, knowledge and ideas can also be spread across borders and across oceans in an instant like never before.  Of course, there's a lot of false information on the internet, but follow my advice.  If you see bits of information repeated by multiple sites, it's more likely to be accurate.  For instance, I find visits to the doctor's office for minor afflictions to be more hassle than value, and so I research health topics on line.  Advice frequently repeated is usually good.  This comes in handy because, as I always say, "by the time I get a doctor's appointment, I'll either be healed or dead."  (NOTE:  I am not advocating that others skip seeing the doctor for a health problem of any kind.)

On the creative front, the internet can inspire with idea sharing and inspiration.  It creates virtual communities and entertainment that other media cannot match.  Sure, time can be wasted on the internet, (especially at work), but I would argue that if a person is going to waste time, she/he would probably find some other way to waste it by doing things like chit-chatting or smoking, or making a personal phone call.  Besides, an email is usually quicker (and cheaper) to complete than a phone call.  Instant Messaging is a different story.  At home, web surfing is no worse than channel surfing, and you have a higher chance of learning something as opposed to just being entertained.

It's time we accentuate the positives of the internet and continue to use it so that our brains can continue to swell.  After the next global catastrophe, all the knowledge of the internet will be in our collective heads, a la Fahrenheit 451.

+ Atul

Comments

[Dave P]

Atul
You make many valid points in this article. While some people see computers as isolating, there are instances in which the Internet brings us together. I really enjoy learning about the views of others whether they reflect my views or not. On a number of occasions I am exposed to thinking that I hadn't even considered previously. The things you've noticed are sometimes things that I haven't. In reading them, I become richer in knowledge.

[chancelucky]

Atul,

the internet has essentially replaced the encyclopedia and the dictionary in my daily life. It's faster, offers a variety of sources, I can access it from multiple places, etc.

I don't think it makes me smarter per se, but it does largely serve as my memory in a number of areas.

[ripismoney]

Indeed, for all the criticism the Internet receives, it is a goldmine of information and news. While many use it for entertainment, myself included, the majority of the time I find myself taking advantage of online news, RSS feeds, email, and Google (is there anything Google can't do?). Without the Internet, I must say, I would find my career as a student extremely difficult.

[Romie]

This is very true and there is much value in the Internet. It also brings the world together and can make understand others easier.

[Atul]

Thanks for all the comments guys and sorry for the delay in responding.

Dave, Nice of you to describe my thoughts in that manner. If not knowledge, at least the internet allows us to see others' viewpoints, something which can subsequently lead to gathering knowledge.

CL. I respectfully disagree. Of course the internet replaces reference books to some extent, (and does it well), but I think if you step back the next time you write and ask yourself where you found the facts that lead to your words, you would find that much of it originates from the internet. One other good thing about the internet is that it reduces our need for paper and tree harvesting.

Ripi$, If the internet were a person, you would make him happy. Professional students need the internet more than anybody. I wish I had it when I was in undergrad, but it sure helped with my MBA.

Romie, You bring up a good point that the internet can bring people together. But then, in bringing groups of people together, do you think it divides us more on the whole? Perhaps the internet enables polarization of opinions. I always say people watch the news they want to hear. When people are surrounded by like-minded people, perhaps they firm up their opinions in a way that makes them dislike those outside of that opinion group.