Intelligence in the Internet Age

ErikPeterson writes to tell us about an article on News.com that takes a look at technology versus intelligence of the general population. From the article: 'Is technology making us smarter? Or are we lazily reliant on computers, and, well, dumber than we used to be?'

Comments

Huh?

[Kid Zero]

Or are we lazily reliant on computers, and, well, dumber than we used to be?'

You're asking this here? Can't wait to see the answers. :)

We?

[Anonymous Coward]

Or are we lazily reliant on computers, and, well, dumber than we used to be?'

When you say "we" do you mean just Slashdot editors, or the rest of us too? Arrrrr.

wut

[DrEldarion]

i think that you're conclusion bout da net makin ppl dum is rong. their not dum their just typin in da web way. u just dont get it.

Good question!

[fireboy1919]

Hold on, let me check my new brain for the answer.

Nope. It looks like that's all background noise.

Clearly we is just as smarter as we used to was, and can did our stuff just as much as we used to could.

It's a trick.

[hungrygrue]

Or are we lazily reliant on computers, and, well, dumber than we used to be?'

Any honest answer to that question will be modded -1 flamebate.

Way dumber.

[BigZaphod]

Oh yes. Certainly dumber.

Of course I have no actual evidence for this. But that's cuz I'm dumber now than I was yesterday when I'm sure I had the proof bookmarked someplace. It keeps getting worse, too. By this time next week I'll probably forget how to form sentences and have to google each word in order to build up my thoughts. That'll probably suck. Of course since I'll be dumber I won't notice anyway.

For the lazy...

[Spy der Mann]

the google query is:
"are we more stupider than we used to was?"

Re:Average intelligence is a constant

[flyingsquid]

Well, if you don't have to work very hard to perform tasks A, B, and C (because of calculators, the internet, spell check and various other thought-saving technologies) you can focus really, really hard on D (whether it is inventing a new computer algorithm, cold fusion, frictionless sandpaper, or new things to sue people over). Good old fashioned division of labor.

At least, that's the theory.

Re:Hmm

[Anonymous Coward]

"Ambition, is a poor excuse for people without enough sense to be lazy."

Yes, that is a real quote. I may not remember who said it first but I have enough sense to be lazy and not bother looking it up.

Re:right-

[j-cloth]

we like algebra, we think it's pretty
I want that on a t-shirt. ThinkGeek? You Listening?

Progress

[Advocadus Diaboli]

Progress (n.): The process through which the Internet has evolved from smart people in front of dumb terminals to dumb people in front of smart terminals.