“Just Google it” is today’s mantra.
We currently tread the Internet under the assumption that Google is our friend. After all, with the mere click of a button we have access to the world’s knowledge instantly. In fact, since its inception, Google has so thoroughly ingrained itself into our lives that anytime we have a burning question that needs to be answered, we turn to Google almost subconsciously. And now, with the ever-growing popularity of tablets and smartphones, we can carry Google with us anytime, anywhere.
The sad truth is that without Google, many of us would be unquestionably lost – myself included.
It has not been uncommon for a friend to call me a chronic Googler. And it’s true. My search history is essentially a play-by-play of the thousands of thoughts that run through my mind every day. Whether they are everyday questions like, “does this mole mean I have skin cancer?” or lesser known facts like, “what do the Kardashians even do?” lo and behold, Google always has the answer.
It is undeniable that Google, and the Internet in general, has transformed our daily lives in positive and negative ways. Truly, it has revolutionized convenience like no other. Instead of having to trek to the library for information for a school project, we have 24/7 access to millions of search results thanks to good ‘ol Google.
Frankly, it is utterly invaluable as an educational tool. With some time and effort, we can develop working knowledge of whatever interests us, be it world politics, to quantum physics, to soccer player Zinedine Zidane’s legendary headbutt at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Ultimately, Google is changing our relationship with knowledge by providing us with the accessibility and convenience to level the intellectual playing field, one search at a time.
However, Google doesn’t just bring with it the sunshine and rainbows we search for. Along with taking advantage of it as an educational tool, we unfortunately also tend to exploit it. Often, instead of choosing to think of an answer, we impatiently turn to Google, simply because of the ease and accessibility. It has also made it even easier to take another person’s ideas and claim them as our own. In other words, it has accelerated the market of plagiarism, and has given even more value to the coveted copy and paste functions that we hold so dear to our hearts.
Due to the wealth of information that is available from search engines like Google, we are increasingly finding that the lines between our own ideas and others’ can become intricately intertwined. Because of this, it seems as if we all unconsciously plagiarize at one point or another. And, rather than truly absorbing and understanding information about a subject that we are researching, we can fall prey to passively learning, because we do not give ourselves the opportunity to actively synthesize and engage with the material at hand.
Truth be told, as a chronic Googler, I have suffered enough scares concerning my health to last me a lifetime. Clearly, playing doctor on Google is not all that it’s cracked up to be.
Frequent trips to the washroom? Definitely diabetes. Maybe Crohn’s disease.
New mole? Melanoma, for sure.
In actuality, the combined powers of Google and WebMD have convinced me that I have every disease possible, which contributes to a lot of stress and fuels my favourite pastime: overanalyzing. So please, spare yourself the anxiety by exercising common sense and leave the health diagnoses to the professionals. Your sanity will thank you.
The ability to Google everything is unmistakably both a blessing and a curse. But ultimately, Google is only a tool, and like any other tool, its effect wholly depends on how we use it. And yet, we would all benefit from taking a much needed break from our trusted friend.
Now, if only I could take my own advice.
By Farah Wehbe
Please note that opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views and values of The Blank Page.
