In 2008, Nicholas Carr wrote a seminal article for The Atlantic, “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”
In the 13 years since then, digital technology has become only more pervasive and more integrated into our thinking processes—for better and for worse. But we know a lot more now. 1/9
In the 13 years since then, digital technology has become only more pervasive and more integrated into our thinking processes—for better and for worse. But we know a lot more now. 1/9
In place of what was mostly speculation on Carr’s part, there is now a booming field of empirical research into exactly HOW and WHEN and WHY our encounters with technology influence our thinking.
For example: this new study from researchers at the University of Tübingen. 2/9
For example: this new study from researchers at the University of Tübingen. 2/9
The study examines the pluses and minuses of "cognitive offloading"—the act of allowing our devices to hold information or perform operations for us that would usually happen inside our own heads. 3/9
Offloading DOES improve immediate performance: we do the job faster, more accurately, and with fewer errors.
At the same time, it reduces longer-term memory performance. When we offload, we process the information less deeply, and so we’re apt to forget it more easily. 4/9
At the same time, it reduces longer-term memory performance. When we offload, we process the information less deeply, and so we’re apt to forget it more easily. 4/9
There is a way around this trade-off, researchers note. When participants were forced to engage in offloading during a task, but were told that they would be tested later on the offloaded information, they reaped the benefits of offloading AND accurate memory. 5/9
This research is an example of the very practical guidance this new generation of research has to offer—to wit:
If your goal is focused solely on immediate performance, offload away.
If your goal is focused on longer-term memory performance, you have one of two choices. 6/9
If your goal is focused solely on immediate performance, offload away.
If your goal is focused on longer-term memory performance, you have one of two choices. 6/9
One: AVOID offloading, thereby organically introducing the kind of "desirable difficulties" that promote memory (when we work hard to process information, we tend to remember it better). 7/9
Two: Engage in offloading, but FORM THE INTENTION to remember the information you're offloading. Both strategies are effective.
Is Google making us stupid? Only if we let it! 8/9
Is Google making us stupid? Only if we let it! 8/9
Here's the study from the University of Tübingen: bit.ly/2ORjaLX
And here's Nicholas Carr's article, still a classic: bit.ly/3e90qjN
And here's Nicholas Carr's article, still a classic: bit.ly/3e90qjN
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