This week I heard a news story saying that the use of Google has made us stupid. Of course, I looked up the report on Google. 🙂 I didn’t find the report that I’d heard but found this.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/306868/

In fact, I found an amazing number of opinions about the topic. Who’d have thought?

There’s even something called The Google Effect. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/therapy-matters/201107/the-google-effect I quote a statement from that site.

According to these researchers, people are more likely to look for information on the Internet, and when easy to find, they’re more likely to remember where they found it, rather than the information itself. On the flip side, information that is less accessible online is more easily remembered.

I may be stubborn and unwilling to listen to research in certain topics but I love Google (or any search engine). Just this week I looked up

1. pictures to use as models for characters in my story.
2. http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/ to create character motivations.
3. I researched how to develop character arc–hoping for some simple way that I could apply. However, I didn’t find one.
4. I looked up the definition of ‘escarpment’ to make sure it meant exactly what I thought it did.
5. I looked up coulee as well and discovered there is a  meaning in North America that differs from other places.
6. I researched superstitions regarding a red-haired woman. There are some nasty ones…like insanity being linked to that particular hair color. I’m thinking to be constantly watched for signs of insanity might be enough to drive anyone around the bend–never mind hair color.
7. I needed the exact date of Montana achieving statehood.
8. I needed other names–insults really–for homesteaders. In this case, I found a more satisfactory answer in one of my books.

I could do on and on. Suffice it to say I love Google. It’s made life so much easier. I have learned household repairs, new recipes, and how to prune my trees.

What about you? Is the Internet something you use a lot? What is your favorite thing about having so much information at your fingertips? What is the worst? My biggest gripe about it is trying to find the right words to get the answer you want.