Essay Google and Enhancement

Submitted By a_sigala
Words: 950
Pages: 4

Google And Enhancement
Is Google changing the way we think? Well, when you don't know the answer to a question, what is the first thing you do? Instead of working to remember information, we simply Google it. From Nicholas Carr’s article, Is Google Making Us Stupid?, he argues that our expanding dependence on networking technology is undeniably changing not only the way we think, but also the configuration of our brains. We're recalling less information on our own, but we know exactly where to go and find it on the Internet. Simply put, if we are able to find information online, we are less inclined to remember the information itself. Nevertheless, if the information is not easily attainable online, then we are expected to remember the information.
The printing press and the broadcast media has had a major impact in shaping and reshaping society. In the article, it is argued that modern neuroscience, which has discovered the "plasticity" of the human brain, shows that our habits can actually change our neuronal structures. The brains of illiterate people, for example, are structurally different from those of people who can read. So if the technology of printing – and its associated obligation to learn to read – could shape human brains, then surely it's logical to assume that our addiction to networking technology will do something similar?
It is possible that we may be losing some of the capacity for reflective concentration that was adopted by the print culture. From this we can say Google is creating a society with a short attention span. In the article, Carr states that, “Immersing myself in a book or a lengthy article used to be easy.” He started noticing that his concentration starts to wonder after reading two to three pages. The meaningful connection between the reader and the text is gone. Carr feels as though he has to regularly find his way back to the text because of distractions. Even when we are not working, you are likely to be looking at emails, reading the news, reading articles, or listening to music.
Someone might say, “What does learning matter if all of the information in the world is just a Google search away?” Well, that’s short changing our intellect. If that’s the way we’re using our mind, then we’re not building knowledge.
One example of a morally questionable idea concerning genetic engineering would be subject of “designer babies”. A designer baby is a baby whose observable characteristics has been designated in order to eliminate a particular defect, or to guarantee that a particular gene is present. Genetic screening for traits that are harmful to the child’s health is reasonable, however it is unethical to screen for “superficial” traits and desired characteristics for one’s child. It is argued that the use of genetic prescreening based on physical and mental characteristics is immoral. The hair color, skin color, eye color and other physical traits of a child are only external traits that do not echo the skills or potential of that child. Many people think that these traits should be chosen by the natural world and thus add to the individuality that the child will become. Thus by predetermining a child’s personality, the child does not get the chance to develop his or her own “self”.
Genetic selection will eventually affect one of the bases of society, diversity. Parents will ultimately be inclined to choose certain characteristics that will eradicate variation and individuality.
To some extent we can agree that is the parent’s obligation to make sure their child has every possible opportunity and advantage. In consequence many parents take this belief as prescreening their child for the most “beneficial”