Automation Makes Us Dumb - WSJ

Automation Makes Us Dumb - WSJ:

So, it would seem, the sequel to being yet more dumber, is Dumber to.,,

In this article (and associated books, it appears) Nicolas Carr offers up the argument (and some evidence) that computers and automation are making us dumber.

One example is that pilots can lose their edge for flight if they let the auto-pilot (no, not Airplane 1,2, 2.5, 33 1/3) do virtually all of the driving.

It seems that psycho-motor skills are best practiced occasionally if you have a plane load of people and you might actually need to manually fly that bird to safety. Especially since the times when the actual pilot will need to take over the controls area likely to be under unusual or pending disasters circumstances.

Here's an interesting counter perspective from Carlos Alvarenga (via LinkedIn). He questions several aspects of the points posed by Carr.

Interesting discussion and counter points. The direct tie in to imagination and innovation is rather weak.

But definitely the focus of new systems and automation should be on the human side, not the machine side.

In the meantime, pilots should practices doing some of the actual flying to make sure that they can effortlessly do it if/when then need to.

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