Is the Internet Destroying Us?

As times move and change, there always seems to be a group decrying that whatever new technology has come along is destroying us. The companion video with this post is no different. The idea is this, the internet, with it’s watering down of information and the lack of need to do any real or deep learning (because information is everywhere) is destroying us in the worst way.

Information is the currency of the 21st century. We consume massive amounts of information and data everyday. In years past there was no way to read enough books or articles to consumer the amount of information that we consume everyday as a matter of course now. Information has never been more available, transportable, accessible, or shareable. The internet has been very disruptive to old models of learning, thinking, distributing content, and financial structures. But on the back-end of that, more and more people have been able to share thoughts, ideas, consume information, and feel closer to people around the world than ever before.

Does that mean that we are destroying ourselves? Is that inherently bad?

Any system in which we can access information, learn about things and conduct research from the convenience of our location is, by it’s very nature, a good thing. In the past we had to go to big cities with great libraries in order to find documents and expertise. Now, that is at our fingertips. Everywhere you look, the internet has changed our lives in many positive ways. To say that the internet is destroying us is foolhardy at best. The burning of the Library at Alexandria, the loss of timbuktu,  or the take over of the Alhambra are far worse than what some people pass off for destruction. But before I try to convince you otherwise, watch the video below:

What do you think? Is the internet destroying us all?