"Not a new issue Before getting into the research, I'm reminded of similar concerns raised about earlier technologies, beginning with Socrates, who worried that writing would erode our reliance on memory and make it possible to appear knowledgeable without truly understanding what we claim to know. As absurd as that may sound in 2026, in some sense, he was right. Written sources give us indirect knowledge of events we didn't witness ourselves and allow us to revisit information when we need to refresh our memory."
"In the 1970s, calculators sparked fears that they would weaken basic arithmetic by encouraging dependency, countered by the argument that they would free students to focus on deeper mathematical understanding. In practice, the outcome depended on what was being taught. Calculators can interfere with learning basic arithmetic, but they are empowering for advanced math. I learned that in graduate school, when I was, for the first time, able to understand and even generate complex statistics using calculators"
Generative AI presents a nuanced impact on critical thinking: it can replace rigorous research or enhance critical thought by automating mundane tasks. Historical parallels show similar anxieties toward earlier technologies such as written records, typewriters, and calculators. Written records extend memory and access to indirect knowledge but can encourage reliance on others' thinking. Typewriters and calculators altered pacing and capability, producing fears of reduced deliberation or skills. Outcomes depend on what is taught and how tools are used. Calculators can impede learning basic arithmetic while empowering advanced mathematical understanding and enabling complex statistical work.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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