Is Wireless Making Us Dumb?

My understanding is you are pretty much born with the IQ you have.

Any decrease in IQ has to come from brain damage. So, is the premise of these 16% of the "experts" that smart phones causes brain damage?

Now, the failure to use what intelligence we are endowed with is purely our own fault and another matter all together.

while the majority of techies (81%) believe these devices will enhance human intelligence,

I believe it may let more borderline abilities pass for (pseudo) intelligence

16% of the experts expect to see a drop in IQ levels.

IMO People will just become more intellectually lazy

Do you think our dependence on the Internet and wireless devices is dumbing down society?

No but making it more lazy, and it will reinforce mediocre abilities with a degree from online learning abuse.

People have to grasp the fundamentals.

The saying work smarter instead of harder takes a hit here. But in school one should work harder to get smarter.

p911

I agree with AH and Phoenix completely, but I do think that schools should respond a little better to the modern tools available today. The obvious aspect is in preventing cheating and plagiarism by the use of the net. But schools should also be teaching students how to accurately solve complex problems that only these tools can do in a reasonable amount of time. For an example, as an employer I would not be impressed by a prospective engineer that tried to solve a 40X40 linear algebra matrix using a pencil and paper for hours. (In contrast if in moments the engineer could show quickly that the same matrix could not be solved using a pencil and paper, I would be impressed.)

But schools should also be teaching students how to accurately solve complex problems that only these tools can do in a reasonable amount of time.

I agree, after the fundamentals are in place.

You start out teaching the fundamentals. That way when using these tools and the software outputs erroneous number, and I had this happen, you may be able to recognize it and track it down....why, because you know the fundamentals.

An example; To do calculations for ASME, I use Compress software. And if the calculations are incorrect YOU and not the software is responsible.

(In contrast if in moments the engineer could show quickly that the same matrix could not be solved using a pencil and paper, I would be impressed.)

if he could do that......he is not of this earth.

p911

In the last 200 years how many technological advancements happened that at the time where all looked at as being a new way to make people lazier dumber or less productive?

Practical aplication of steam power, electricity, internal combustion engines, long range communication, the internet, space exploration, private transportation systems, The list is huge basically.

Evey advancement happens because by our very nature we humans are tool makers and users.

At some point many many 100's of thousands of years ago some monkey thought, Hey! I am lazy but if I take this stick and tie it to this rock with some grass I will have a faster, easier, and more effective way to beat other monkeys into doing my work for me so I can sit around and think of even better and more effective and efficient RSG (Rock Stick Grass) based motivational devices! Hmm... Now I wonder if I made one end sharp and pointy then...

Thus the foundations for our work ethics, politics, and educational systems was born.

GA

This reminds me of a story I read when I was a kid. Donald Duck was going to get a typewriter because it would solve all his spelling problems. I guess we know how well that works....

[Editor Crankshaft on the loose again.]

The same concern has occurred to me. But I was struck recently that my high school aged stepson has the option of taking calculus and, I think, linear algebra. That is 1-2 years earlier than I had the option when I was in school.

So wireless is very roughly equivalent to how widespread electricity has made us ignorant of many natural cycles. Our ancestors knew things that we don't bother with anymore, and it can be argued that we're dumber than they were.

But I was struck recently that my high school aged stepson has the option of taking calculus and, I think, linear algebra. That is 1-2 years earlier than I had the option when I was in school.

You have to compare both completely, not just bits, pieces and segments.

At your sons age, did you have access to the internet and other informational links using the internet like your son does now?

Did you have calculators at the calibre of your son has today?

Does your son know how to solve a calculus or a linear algebra equation using only paper and pencil?

The point I am trying to get across is, does he know the fundamentals.

I told a psuedo engineer once, "They can teach a monkey to be an astronaut.........but he's still a monkey."

p911

No it frees us up to work on more complex issues, the same argument you use could be used for the use of cars electricity just because there are cars does that mean we are worse off no it just means we can now travel further in more comfort.

if the use of technology makes life easier then thats what they where made for, we now make things more accurately and faster so we the human race can move forward faster and kill each other more efficiently, and as a result of wars we can now fix ourselves better so we can last longer so can fight for longer and make better weapons