Letter to the Editor: Approve use of biosimilars for chronic diseases to lower Pennsylvanians’ treatment costs

Letter to the Editor: Wilkes-Barre Council candidate Beth Gilbert extends gratitude to supporters

What is the Google syndrome? Today when students seek information and knowledge on any subject they head straight to their laptop, iPad or smart phone and &#8220;Google it.&#8221; What a tremendous technology to educate and inform students on any topic instantaneously.Recent research pertaining to the human brain is suggesting that students across all levels of education are victims of the Google syndrome.Unfortunately students are now exhibiting the signs and symptoms related to this emerging abnormality. The Google syndrome seemingly is depleting the part of the brain that deals with the higher cognitive levels of thinking. In order to develop these levels of thinking, which deal with the ability of critical thought, one must engage this sphere of the brain. For the majority of students, using a search engine results in instant gratification. Get what you need to know, use it, lose it, be done with it. Move on.All knowledge is seconds away, so why take the time and effort to learn it when at the next time of need you can again type it in the search bar?Memorization, comprehension, interpretation, application, synthesis, evaluation and problem-solving are the cognitive-thinking skills that are all being diminished. Empirical evidence uncovered by recent research on the brain is demonstrating abnormal cognition in brain development in students ranging from grade school to college. Similar to other muscles in the body, if the brain is not exercised properly, it will begin to atrophy.Many people make life choices that can destroy their brains, such as engaging in the use of drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately the majority of people are not aware that when they do not use the regions of the brain that deal with cognitive intelligence it will have an adverse effect on their ability to reason, problem solve, critically think and evaluate information.I firmly support using technology in the classroom, however, not at the expense of creating a generation of people who do not have the ability to think independently.How can we begin to overcome the negative effects of under-utilizing our brains and overusing the search bar? Schools must build a curriculum that demands students use their higher-level cognitive skills. Until students learn the basics, build a foundation of knowledge and develop critical-thinking skills, they should not have use of the Internet.Technology is an amazing tool if used in the proper way, and American students are too dependent on it. The technological revolution of the 21st century has not paid off educationally. The increased usage has not translated into increased academic achievement. Among the Western nations, the United States ranks near the bottom academically in all subjects and standardized tests. Yet we spend more money on students, computers and technology than any other Western nation.The prevailing attitude toward literature, science and history appears to be &#8220;If I can Google it, I don&#8217;t need to build a foundation of knowledge.&#8221; Consequently, students are not knowledgeable in many subjects.The Google syndrome is a serious issue threatening the future of our society. Technology is worthless if the mind is not nurtured and developed.Humanity is being manipulated to relinquish the greatest gift we posses, the only thing that separates us from other species: our ability to think and reason.God risked all by granting us the freedom to reason. Do not sacrifice this, for it is everything.William K. SarnakRetired high school teacherHarding

Letter to the Editor: ‘Google syndrome’ believed to lessen students’ brain power