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Technical Crutches - good or bad or necessary evil?

dougw

When I started thinking about these 2 questions, I started noticing how insidiously these technologies are influencing our lives.

1) Will the internet kill human learning?

The vast information available on the Internet started out as a game changing resource to learn from. However, increasingly it has become a disincentive to learn. Why bother to learn it if you can just Google it? This has benefits and drawbacks which are debatable but to highlight one aspect, I want to ask this question:

  • Are you impressed when you come across someone who has actual knowledge rather than virtual knowledge?

I find myself surprised sometimes when somebody actually knows something that I wouldn't expect them to learn. Does this happen to you?

Do you find that the generations that grew up with the internet, are more dependent on it or use it differently from the older generations?

2) Will AI kill human thinking?

Productivity expectations are increasing to the the extent that use of generative AI is necessary just to get the job done on time.

  • Are you more impressed by someone who creates content without using generative AI, versus someone who uses AI all the time?

Do you think of generative AI as cheating? Or less valuable? Or generic frivolous Pablum? Or a boon to save time and effort?

The internet can be a disincentive to learn. Is this true?

Generative AI can be a disincentive to think. Is this true?

How many of you automatically ask ChatGPT these questions before formulating your own answer?

Parents

  • IMHO, internet vastly improves and speeds up learning. It is the biggest and bestest Funk N Wagnalls to have on hand. I dont have to take a bus downtown to hit the library, research thru all the Dewey's Decimals to sleuth out relevant info. I can reference component poop sheets and read multiple papers on a topic of interest whilst in my jammies sipping coffee.

    The internet too is just like a book, the conditions that exist for knowledge may not match my real life challenge.  I can virtually learn how to safely do repair work around the house. I check You Tube all the time. The virtual part is a good start, but I have to actually do the repair work to learn what details it didn't present or how my situation was different. 

    IMHO  , its not the internet that I worry about with younger generations googling to find info, learn things, possess knowledge,

    BUT  the use of social media and influencers to do that learning & research, bypass critical thinking and not questioning twisted points of view. 

    This goes likewise with AI, info is great, and a valuable tool, but the user should always ask themselves does this info make sense ? Is it relevant ? Can it be confirmed ? It wont kill thinking unless people believe its infallible and all inclusive.  

    Check back again in 20 years tho, the babies born using AI may be different. 

  • in reply to robogary

    Agreed - the benefits and drawbacks and veracity of social media are a whole big set of topics.

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