One More Time With Feeling: No, The Internet Is Not Making Us Dumber

from the no-more-think-good dept

Google is making us stupid. Smartphones have ruined the art of conversation. Video games make you violent. There's simply no limitation to the number of people quick to assume that technology is to blame for long-standing human foibles despite generations of historical evidence to the contrary. There is, however, usually a very sharp limit to the science actually supporting these positions. At the forefront of this yeah I bet that's probably true movement has long sat Susan Greenfield, whose expertise in the field of "justify-my-Luddite-beliefs-at-all-costs" has gained endless media attention.

Through media appearances, books and interviews, Greenfield has long pushed the idea that technology as a whole is effectively "rewiring" our brains and altering fundamental cognitive patterns -- for the worse. She's quick to rant against Twitter, complain that video games trigger violent behavior, and has been at the forefront of claims that Google is rewiring the very fabric of memory. For just as many years we've pointed out how this isn't really true; because our brains have adapted to the increased efficiency of having technology around doesn't mean they don't work as hard as ever (well, most of us).

Still, people love Greenfield because she justifies existing beliefs that we were so much better off when technology wasn't so pervasive. The problem is, as a group of actual scientists recently pointed out, the data Greenfield claims supports these positions doesn't say anything close to what she claims it does. These neuro-scientists have, apparently, had enough of the media ignoring this fact:

"As scientists working in mental health, developmental neuropsychology, and the psychological impact of digital technology, we are concerned that Greenfield’s claims are not based on a fair scientific appraisal of the evidence, often confuse correlation for causation, give undue weight to anecdote and poor quality studies, and are misleading to parents and the public at large."

Not only that, the researchers note, the evidence she often points to actually disproves many of her claims. Like Greenfield's argument that social networking hinders social interaction and interpersonal relationships. Actually, researchers Bishop, Bell and Przybylski note that quite often, social networking can have the complete opposite and often positive effect:

"Greenfield claims that social networking sites could negatively affect social interaction, interpersonal empathy, and personal identity.1 However, the bulk of research does not support this characterisation. With regard to social interaction and empathy, adolescents’ use of social networking sites has been found to enhance existing friendships and the quality of relationships, although some individuals benefit more than others. The general finding is that those who use social networks to avoid social difficulties have reduced wellbeing, while use of social networks to deal with social challenges improves outcomes."

How about Greenfield's claims that using Google negatively impacts memory? Not so, state the researchers, who point out that the human mind is simply adapting to the situation at hand, and it's just as flexible, responsive and amazing as it has always been:

"Another claim made by Greenfield is that reliance on search engines and surfing the internet could result in superficial mental processing at the expense of deep knowledge and understanding. There is indeed evidence that when people know they can access information through search engines they are less likely to remember the content. However, this effect applies to many situations and is not restricted to the use of technology; for instance, people who work in teams are less likely to remember facts when others hold the information, which allows for more efficient use of mental resources. This is a well studied and adaptive form of thinking called transactive memory."

That's not to say there aren't conversations to be had about the negative impact of technology. The researchers are quick to note we still need to have vigilant conversations about privacy and safety online, etiquette of technology use, and about issues like childhood obesity (unhelped by unpoliced hours playing Playstation 4). Unfortunately, the researchers note that Greenfield's superficial analysis and cult-like celebrity status is obscuring these more important conversations, while only acting to feed the fear of Luddites everywhere.

Filed Under: intelligence, internet, internet makes us dumb, susan greenfield, the kids these days