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PART XI

WE KNOW NOTHING

FIFTY-FOUR

EVOLUTION? OR DE-EVOLUTION?

Our modern society often takes pride in its technological achievements, believing we represent the peak of progress. However, this perception of advancement may not be as solid as it appears. Imagine if we were suddenly required to rebuild our entire society from scratch – would we truly be capable of such a feat? Unlikely. We lack the widespread labor force and the diverse skill sets that are crucial for reconstructing the complex systems upon which we depend. Consider the ancient pyramids of Egypt, such as the Great Pyramid of Giza. These structures are a testament to the profound knowledge and skills of a civilization that existed thousands of years ago. Despite our advancements, we still do not fully overstand how these pyramids were constructed, nor could we rebuild them.

This realization forces us to question whether we are genuinely advancing, or merely perpetuating an illusion of technological superiority.

Are we evolving? Or are we de-evolving? We are reliant. We are not evolved.

We know nothing – we Google everything.

We can't operate any aspects of our lives without tech or the system – are we evolving, or are the things we use evolving?

On one hand, it could be argued we are evolving, as we have made significant advancements in various fields, such as science, medicine, and communication. These developments have undoubtedly improved our quality of life and expanded our knowledge. However, on the other hand, some may argue we are de-evolving, becoming increasingly reliant on technology and losing certain essential skills in the process. 

It is true that in today's digital age, we have become highly dependent on technology. We rely on search engines like Google to find information, rather than relying on our own knowledge and critical-thinking skills. We use smartphones and other gadgets to perform tasks we used to do manually. Our ability to navigate the world without the assistance of technology has diminished. 

So, are we truly evolving, or are the things we use evolving? 

It can be argued technology is evolving at a rapid pace while our own capabilities remain relatively stagnant. We have become so intertwined with our devices and the systems they operate on we cannot imagine functioning without them. This raises questions about the direction of our evolution. 

Are we becoming more advanced as a species, or are we simply becoming more dependent on external tools for our survival? 

How do you know what Google tells you is the truth?

We’re moving away from the answers, not to them.

We Google, but we do not know.

We make great pharmaceuticals, yet nature already has the answer.

We invented the internet to help connect and only ended up disconnecting ourselves.

Everything nature gives us for free, they have monetized and sold back to us. For example, all pharmaceuticals replicate natural processes nature already performs – that's where most medicines come from. It's actually being a copycat of the original source – life itself. They replicate it from the real world and then sell it back to us. No different than how we are wired to connect, an essential part of what makes us human, and certainly would constitute a de-evolution if we were to lose these vital skills – the skills of communication and connection with one another. Yet, that is exactly what is happening: technology has become the gatekeeper of our relationships, communication, and connectability.

We think we know but really, we depend on technology and devices, suffering from an illusionary sense of being more intelligent than we actually are.

Illusionary: (ɪˈluːʒəˌneri) adjective. of, pertaining to, or characterized by illusions; deceptive; misleading.

Because of the transformative impact of technology on our cognitive processes, it's crucial to overstand how our reliance on digital devices shapes our perception of knowledge and intelligence. 

Let’s look at several key phenomena: the Google Effect, Digital Amnesia, Cognitive Offloading, Information Overload, Shallow Processing, and External Memory Systems. Each represents a crucial aspect of our interaction with technology and its effects on our cognitive functions. Let's dive into each of these concepts, overstanding their implications and how they challenge the traditional notions of knowledge and memory.

Accessing information does not equal possessing knowledge.

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