Technology is Dumbing Us Down
Generation Z - one of the most forward-thinking generations of today's society, characterized by resilience, inclusivity, social justice awareness, and a strong desire for change. Among these unique factors that shape our generation, one specific element reigns supreme: technology.
Gen Z has been dubbed “the technology generation,” mainly because we are the first generation to grow up with 24/7 access to it. We have always had consistent access to any information needed, whether it be through Google search, social media, smartphones, or, in more recent years, AI chatboxes like Google Gemini and ChatGPT. People rely on technology daily, whether it be to communicate with others, do their homework, entertain themselves, or even check the weather while picking out their outfits in the morning.
Though these inventions are convenient and can provide information whenever needed, it is increasingly clear that many people have become dependent on them - especially in environments like school, where we are constantly seeking and learning new information. While some argue that these technological advancements allow us to become more educated due to the unlimited information available at our fingertips, others are growing concerned. They worry that we are becoming overly reliant on technology to access basic information, which could diminish our intellect, creativity, and critical thinking. There are also concerns about future generations, who may face the consequences of growing up with this technology their whole lives.
Overall, the issue is clear: whether intentional or not, technology hinders our intellectual growth by encouraging shortcuts and surface-level thinking, affecting our concentration and creativity and potentially harming not only us but the intellect of future generations. It’s worth noting how alluring the convenience of modern-day technology is. The idea of answering a math problem in five seconds by looking it up on ChatGPT rather than spending 20 minutes and acquiring a headache is a lovely concept. ChatGPT and other AI platforms are easy shortcuts, which results in students continuously relying on these sites.
However, though convenient, a dependence on AI can result in a lack of effort put into memorizing and processing essential information. After all, if an aspiring accountant is using AI on every math homework assignment, it is improbable that they will remember the class material being taught to them since they aren’t actively applying it. This can negatively impact their performance in their future career since they aren’t putting in the work to actually learn anything.
Additionally, this easy access to information and encouragement of shortcuts can result in less critical thinking and intellectual engagement since people know they can just look up any information they need at any moment. For the vast majority of people, the point of high school English class isn’t that they’ll become the next great American writer - it’s that they learn to think critically, write well, and interpret meaning. Relying on AI stops this.
Another issue concerning technology's negative effect on intellect is the significant decrease in attention spans in recent years. Aside from the fact that we now rely on Google search and AI for basic information, it is also clear that we search for instant gratification in many other aspects of our lives, such as entertainment and communication. Social media entertainment platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels are designed to allow users to consume content in quick, bite-sized doses, often lasting under 30 seconds. While people used to be entertained by movies and TV shows that take hours of concentration, people who grew up with the constant use of technology are now only stimulated by content that is straight to the point and quick.
This concerns many people and is very telling of technology's negative impact on our dopamine receptors and our increasing desire for immediate satisfaction. In the same way that people would now prefer to have Google summarize their readings instead of just reading them themselves, they also no longer have the patience or attentiveness to sit through a two-hour movie with one consistent storyline when they can scroll on TikTok for two hours and consume hundreds of short stories instead.
This consistent reliance on technology to provide instant information and stimulation can also prevent and suppress creativity and original thought. Since people are becoming used to having every question answered immediately, they may lose interest in activities that require them to reflect on their values or experiences to evoke a creative response. This is because producing original creative work takes effort, time, and hard work - the opposite of what technology encourages in today’s fast-paced, convenience-driven world.
Since technology doesn’t possess the same social intelligence, empathy, or personal experiences that humans have, it cannot create the same creative elements that make up our world, such as movies, TV shows, art, politics, and literature. This raises concern for the future of these creative fields, mainly because it proposes the idea that technology might take over the creative processes that have historically been driven by human emotion, experience, and understanding.
Although Generation Z is the first generation to experience growing up in a world dominated by modern technology, it certainly won’t be the last. The growing concern that technology is dumbing us down by promoting shortcuts, decreasing attention spans, and stifling creativity will likely persist into the future, as technological advancements show no signs of slowing down. At the rate we’re going at, people will only continue to become less reliant on critical thinking skills and more reliant on technology to solve their problems.
Though this is scary, it’s not a lost cause. Prioritizing critical thinking, creativity, and reflection in our daily lives can ensure that technology serves as an enhancement rather than a replacement for our intellectual and creative growth. So, the next time you are stumped on a math problem or don’t know how to answer an essay prompt, don’t run to ChatGPT to answer it for you. After all, the right answer isn't always worth finding if you never had to earn it in the first place.