New technology helping us?

After reading most the articles, I’m surprised of how I never realized that the use of the computer/internet has not only benefited me, but also perhaps harmed me at profound level. Instead of the library, I depended on search engines for my resources. My reading ability drastically changed because I was so used to skimming through online articles that I started doing that as well in printed text pages for books. I see a tradeoff of our own ability to research and think deeper about an idea independently for various amounts of resources, ideas, and communication.

            Socrates might have been right to fear writing (new technology) because it did affect people. In our modern day, online media perhaps has a greater impact on people than writing did during Socrates time because it is faster and more accessible in general. I understand that companies like Google want to make an interface that is useful for its users, but with new technology it changes our own abilities. However, I don’t think it’s making us “dumber”, but maybe more creative in understanding our world.