Response to Postman and Google – “Is Google making us stupid – or smarter?”

Postman writes, “Ignorance is always correctable. But what shall we do if we take ignorance to be knowledge?” (p.108)

This is an interesting question for me to think about as an educator who is trained to know the difference between ignorance and knowledge. This is also a pertinent question to reflect on when considering whether Google is making us stupid – or smarter. In our 21st century media culture, is it really possible for us to tell the difference?

Although Carr opposes Google and Cascio defends it, both authors write persuasively about its impact and influence on our culture. While I can appreciate each author’s argument, I agree with Carr and I think Postman would, too. Although Postman writes mostly about television, he would support Carr’s statement that “media are not just passive channels of information. They supply the stuff of thought, but they also shape the process of thought.” Furthermore, both Carr and Postman would agree that as one’s relationship with media changes, one’s abilities to read, write, and communicate are changed as a direct result.

The abilities to read and write are integral components of all academic areas. They are particularly relevant to me, as I am a graduate student seeking an M.Ed. with a concentration in reading. If I hope to be effective as a reading specialist, it will be important for me to understand not only how media is changing the way children read in elementary school, but also the way they will be expected to read as adults in the 21st century media culture.


Question – Can Google be considered a medium? If not, what is it?

According to ACME, medium is a form of communication – i.e. television, a video game, or magazine article – that transmits messages, tells stories, structures learning, and constructs a “reality” about the world.