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)


Answer this not-so-simple question: How does extensive Internet/media/technology use change the way you think? Focus on your memory, your ability to concentrate, your sense of time and priorities, and the subjects/topics that interest you most. If you find "thinking about your thinking" difficult to assess, try the following strategies: compare yourself with older people who did most of their formal learning before smart phones and 2.0 existed; compare yourself with contemporaries who don't use those tools much today; read up on what education leaders and thinkers have to say about generational differences in thinking (and remember to cite your sources).


I've found that extensive use of internet, media and technology have made me lazy and distracted. Not only am I distracted by text messages and facebook, but also music. I personal have Itunes running at all times and tend to put on music which is very distracting. I zone out very easily. For example, right now I am on my laptop playing music with facebook on the next tab and a muted tv right in front of me. This is where I start getting lazy. With all these distractions it makes it hard for me to do my work because I know I can be doing so many other things which are more fun. I start rushing my work because of the amount of other things I could be doing. My parents always say I have it easy because if I need an answer it's always a click away and they didn't have that advantage when they were kids. I think it's a disadvantage because yes we have all the answers to our homework available on the internet, but we also have to deal with all the distractions that technology brings.

(No sources to cite, I just used personal examples)
Nathan Seidenberg
P. 3