The Google effect: what it is and how to combat it

The Google effect consists of forgetting information or data of normal use, due to the current trend of resorting to Internet search engines (mainly, Google), to consult what we need.

The main cause for this phenomenon to occur is given by the ease of using a computer or mobile phone, even to know where we are located or where we want to go (for example, Google Maps). This makes the brain get used to not memorizing the data, since it is available in that great collective brain that is the Internet.

But perhaps the underlying issue is not to analyze and combat this phenomenon as such, but rather to examine and counteract the real problem that technology has become today. Because everything the time we spend in front of a computer or mobile phone tends to be exaggerated; so much so, that these devices, along with televisions, sound products and video games, became, in many cases, “the main members of the family”…

The pros of Google

Ease. If we were to search in books or somewhere else, it would not be as easy to locate the information we need as with an internet search engine. Through Google we easily locate a large volume of information related to the topic we are researching.Accessibility. The Internet can be accessed almost from anywhere (for example, through a computer or even a cell phone, among other technological devices). This does not happen with physical information centers, which can only be accessed if one is physically there. Information. Not all the information we find on the Internet is found in books. For example, the case of our geographical location, or the most current articles about a certain topic. Currently there are also sites that only have a virtual format, not a physical one. Possibilities. On the Internet, through a search engine, we can easily find videos, images, applications, news and even the books themselves. Work. Unlike other media, On the Internet we can find usable and modifiable resources that can be used for a specific task. For example, we can download images that can be worked on in Word or any design program, which would be difficult by any other means. Time. Today’s life is characterized by a multiplicity of activities, which demand a lot of time. In this sense, everything that saves us time is of great help, such as a search engine. Costs. The Internet is cheap and other media, like books, are quite expensive, comparatively speaking.

The cons

Search. The first results that the Google search engine returns are not always the best but those that best fit the parameters of Google itself. Many times, you have to look at several pages until you find the right information. and sometimes it cannot be clearly defined how much quality a specific content has. Capacity. Not all texts are found on the Internet. On some occasions, it is necessary to resort to physical texts, either in libraries or any other research center. In general, physical texts enjoy greater reliability.Scenario. Some places, such as libraries, may be more suitable environments than a computer or cell phone screen. Although libraries have computers, there will always be something “magical” about picking up a book and not a mouse.Legality. Search engines as prestigious as Google, although they implement strategies for the protection of copyright, do not always achieve it. It is no secret that many videos, movies, songs and even books that the search returns do not comply with the laws on these rights.Memory. According to some studies, when resorting to the ease of search engines like Google, people lose some memory, not exercising it as perhaps happened years ago. Practice. While people become familiar with Internet search engines, they may have small difficulties, that is, some obstacles in finding the exact data or information most in line with the search. It is advisable to have some practice in this aspect, although it is not really relevant.

Should we fight it?

Given all of the above, it can be assumed that in reality we do not necessarily have to combat this phenomenon. The advantages referred to are perhaps more forceful than the disadvantages of the Google effect. However, The long-term effects that could arise from this phenomenon are not yet known.

And, as such, Technology is not in itself good or bad. The positive or negative is the use we make of it. It is as if we blame the knife for murdering a person, or the bed for infidelity. Obviously, we can use technology to do great harm, but also for a purpose that benefits us.

What must be combated, in other words, is the use we make of technology and not so much the technology itself. The computing age began relatively recently. It is undoubtedly a revolution that over time will change our way of learning and processing information. For now, it can only be said that nothing is so good as to completely do away with the above, nor is anything so bad as to omit its contributions.

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Images courtesy of Koren Shadmi