The internet is eating your memory, but something better is taking its place

[Igel]

8. "Rarely need."

At the same time, critical thinking faculties require having a set of facts to call upon, not just potential facts or their location.

Knowledge isn't facts. It's knowing the relationship among facts and how they're structured.

Most of the facts that are taught in schools recur constantly. So in the class I teach I find that kids can't handle fractions--they know where to find the information, but then they're much slower at dealing with them. They know who to ask for help with algebra. They know where to find information.

But when it comes to applying that information in real time, when it comes to integrating the information, it's like building a house when you know that the lumber is in the lumber yard, nails in the hardware store, roofing materials in a depot. The blueprints are at the main office, and you know you have the books for figuring out how to hook up the plumbing, wiring, and making sure that the structure's up to code. While the workmen are there, you're struggling to pull it all together, and since you don't get it together by the time they knock off you return it to its starting point that evening and try again the next day. Two months later you've barely moved, are in breech of contract, and say it's unfair.