Richard Heersmink
The Internet, Cognitive Enhancement, and the Values of Cognition
Macquarie University
paper two distinct related goals 1 identify potential consequences internet cognitive abilities 2 suggest approach evaluate consequences begin outlining google effect allegedly shows know information available online put less effort storing information brain argue strategy adaptive frees internal resources used cognitive tasks whereas others argue maladaptive makes us less knowledgeable argue currently available empirical evidence cognitive psychology support strong conclusions negative effects internet memory make valuejudgements cognitive effects internet need robust ecologicallyvalid evidence sketched nuanced picture google effect argue value cognitive abilities part intrinsic part instrumental valuable determined sociocultural context cognitive abilities utilised focussing instrumental value argue information society skills efficiently navigate evaluate compare synthesize online information circumstances valuable lot facts stored biological memory partly using internet external memory system overall benefits education navigation journalism academic scholarship