Post 3 (Edited Post September 19, 2014)

In this post I would like to focus on the unequal distribution of technology from the September 2^nd lecture and the “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” article. Professor Breyman provided insightful data and information on his PowerPoint regarding the usage of technology across the globe and I would like to take that thought one step further and raise questions about whether or not people without Internet access are “smarter” than those who do use it.

As Professor Breyman stated, “Wonderful benefits of technoscientific innovation are NOT distributed equally, either domestically or globally” (Slide 3 of 9/2 lecture). Which implies that despite our attempts to “level the playing field”, there is still quite a significant portion of the world’s population that does not have access to the Internet. Some benefits of the Internet include instant news, various forms and tools for communication (Facebook, email) and even a sense of community amongst Internet users. In fact, “Fewer than 1 ½ billion or so (out of seven billion or so people on the planet) regularly realize these benefits” (Slide 3 of 9/2 lecture).

But is having access to Internet always a good thing? Recent studies have shown that people become depressed and experience severe emotional changes with heavy computer usage. Similarly, the notion that having so much access to information at our fingertips might be making us more “stupid” should also put off those in the “global middle class”. In China and India, unprecedented growth on all fronts has led to more demand for technology and if current trends continue, they should be joined by millions of more people around the world.

As I was listening to the lecture in class, I asked myself if those who have never used the Internet have sharper brains or are “smarter” than Internet users. Although there are no studies that I am aware of, there must be some difference in mental capacity. It would be difficult to accurately test this however, because usually “studies” are very “Western-centric” and would probably fall short due to differences in cultures. Similarly, people in the West view intelligence and mental capacity in a different light as opposed to how the East views these two qualities. Obviously there are the emotional and advantages of not using the Internet as that person would be less likely to suffer from depression. But I believe that there is a difference in memory because those who use technology to write down almost everything they need to do or get such as grocery lists or taking out the trash.