The Surrender of Books to Technology

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In this day and age, technology seems to have taken over the world. Oblivious people walk around hypnotized by the digital images on their electronic devices, where an unlimited supply of knowledge is at a user’s fingertips – thanks to the smartphone. Able to access information quicker than finding a book, these phones have the capabilities of providing amble amounts of knowledge in lightning speeds. Tablets and portable computers are easily accessible and at the fingertips of users. People almost everywhere are using electronics now as the chief source of learning. If you visit libraries, you won’t see many students engaged in books. You won’t see many study groups utilizing dictionaries for unknown words. However, you will see students immersed in their personal computers and smartphones, switching between online sources and electronic notifications. These students and society as a whole are masters of technology, however, unskilled in reading books. Technology is replacing books as the chief learning tool, and is progressing more each day as it advances through time. Some reasons for this change is because technology as a source of learning provides cognitive benefits, allows for a quick source of knowledge while holding the attention of our fast paced generation, and satisfies society’s electronic dependence and habits.

Contrary to popular belief, electronic learning does has cognitive benefits and therefore is becoming more accepted in society as the chief learning tool. Steven Johnson points out in his article, “Everything Bad is Good for You”, the technicalities of brain function during the utilization of electronic sources. Mr. Johnson says, “Your mind is engaged by the interactive content of networked media… but you’re...

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... engines, research has become much more intuitive and effortless. It no longer requires the same amount of time to research information regarding a topic of interest. Research has become more targeted as computers have the capabilities to target and offer valuable information in little time. Books, as mentioned in previous sources, simply cannot keep up with the pace of our technologically advanced generation. As more electronic sources are being purchased and understood, books are becoming more outdated. With a computer in front of the eyes of billions of people, books are not looked at as the primary tool for learning. Paper books have sat in stagnation for many years, but technology is advancing exponentially. The question is, will technology advance to the point in which humans rely solely on artificial intelligence? My guess is “no”, but only time will tell.

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