Community Chat

[NicksmomESQ]

  I don't think computers have made us smarter.I think they have made us lazier & less informed!! When I was a kid if I needed to do research for a paper I went to the library.Today young people hop on their computers.The information they can turn up first is what they use & it's not necessarily the best.

  People don't need to think anymore because the computer does it for them.There is a lot of misinformation on line.

  Yes,I know computers have their advantages.I use them too.I enjoy using email & the internet.The difference is I still read actual newspapers.I still write actual notes & mail them. In order to be well rounded I believe one needs to strike a balance between the two!

  It would also be nice if people would spend less time in front of their computers & more time out in the world observing, participating & socializing!! 

[Peaches McPhee]

I am very impressed with computers, the internet particularly.  I am 57, so remember how it used to be -- I am sometimes amazed anything got done before we had the internet.   

[AngusandBuddhasMom]

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@NicksmomESQ wrote:

  I don't think computers have made us smarter.I think they have made us lazier & less informed!! When I was a kid if I needed to do research for a paper I went to the library.Today young people hop on their computers.The information they can turn up first is what they use & it's not necessarily the best.

  People don't need to think anymore because the computer does it for them.There is a lot of misinformation on line.

  Yes,I know computers have their advantages.I use them too.I enjoy using email & the internet.The difference is I still read actual newspapers.I still write actual notes & mail them. In order to be well rounded I believe one needs to strike a balance between the two!

  It would also be nice if people would spend less time in front of their computers & more time out in the world observing, participating & socializing!! 

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I rely on the technology that is now afforded us because the world is always changing. Newspapers are OK at the moment they are printed. But things happen all the time so you are not reading up to date info. The fact that I can work anywhere in the world because of my smart phone is amazing. 

[SeaMaiden]

I remember years ago having to go to the library or using a phone book for information. I love now having instant information! Best thing since sliced bread in my book.  I feel I am more impowered  having instant information to make better purchacing decisions or just personal decisions.

[masque]

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@151949 wrote:

The problem is there is a lot of incorrect information out on the internet as well, and how do you know what is correct information & what isn't. Just because something is on the internet does not make it actual true facts.

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Hi @151949 I have to believe it is true because I just saw what Ben Franklin  posted on Facebook.

[AngusandBuddhasMom]

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@151949 wrote:

The problem is there is a lot of incorrect information out on the internet as well, and how do you know what is correct information & what isn't. Just because something is on the internet does not make it actual true facts.

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The problem is not the internet it is the people using it. They don't bother to do research and or questions the site they are using or to double check the source and if there are others that back up their supposed facts. The internet just like anything is a good thing if used correctly. But the constant rehashing of false facts is rampant.

[Q4u]

I am and have been impressed/fascinated by computers since they hit the market~!  It's the "real-time" aspect that just fascinates me.  I do research a ton of information on the computer but research a lot of it for one subject and compare them, know where the info comes from (legit or not) and even then will cross check....  there is a lot of inaccurate/misinformed information that's out there, also a lot of info that is meant to be misleading (for whatever purpose, sales, political, etc.).

So are we smarter?  Well, maybe but certainly smarter as to the information out there that is not true, smarter insofar as we are more careful regarding our personal info, hackers and spammers.... 

[deepwaterdotter]

If I have become more intelligent, it is due to a higher level of curiosity and resourcefulness to seek knowledge and truth from reliable sources.

[Noel7]

In many cases, the computer is better than a library.  There's an academic setting on search sties where we can access science research and journals.  Archaeology, math, etc. How many take the time to do that?

Same for most areas of study. The information is available, but many people settle for opinionated blogs and fake news.

[Noel7]

It's not the computer that's a problem, it's what we make of it, and if we've learned HOW to do research and HOW to use critical thinking skills and logic.