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Technology does not impoverish the mind. The fact society allows technology to "think" in lieu of the human mind doing the thinking could easily be perceived as impoverishment to the mind, but it does not weaken the mind unless people allow it to.

Technology has provided humans with a tool for unlimited possibilities to obtain intellectual stimulation. Using technology essentially comes down to choices, and people are the decision makers, not technology.

A formal definition of "impoverish" (Dictionary.com), states "to make poor in quality, productiveness". Using this definition as a basis, the answer as to whether or not technology impoverishes the mind is a definitive no. The human mind is what creates the technology and to accomplish this requires strong levels of innovative and creative thinking.How can the mind be impoverished if constant innovation is occurring?

With progress there are always elements of change and it natural to be hesitant to embrace change because change is difficult. Technology has brought many benefits and like everything else, there are a few downsides. Is it impoverishing to let a computer do mundane tasks people ordinarily used to do by hand?

Technology is an advancement which frees us up to work on other tasks. In generations past, inventions such as the printing press, typewriter, cameras, sewing machines and even a book of matches were hailed as modernization. There's usually a level of apprehension with anything new, but over time society becomes adjusted and more comfortable with change. This does not mean minds are impoverished because innovation is accepted.

All of the aforementioned inventions have made our lives easier over the years. No longer do people have to spend painstaking hours scribing books and records, and then spend more hours handwriting additional copies. If you want to have a memorable keepsake, in the past a portrait had to be commissioned, nowadays you have the ability to make many pictures within minutes.

The creation of the sewing machine revolutionized the clothing industry and for a time, home life. These are all tasks which require elements of thinking and careful attention, but with the help of these inventions, it makes life more productive. Our minds remain prolific as we continually strive to continue progress; the fact that we are committing ourselves to innovation is not unproductive at all, quite the contrary.

Most inventions are all forms of technology in one way or another. Today's computer and electronic technology is no different than the technology of the past, it's a newer and more modern way to accomplish things. Technology will continue to progress, and while it is both a blessing and a beast, technological innovation has brought much value to society.

Technology cannot impoverish our minds if we don't let it happen. We can perceive technology as beneficial and use it to continue to stimulate our minds, or we can sit back and let technology replace our thought processes. Sure, in many ways technology has made society complacent in the fact we are content to let technology do the work and we rely on its availability, but that's our fault.

Either way the end result is not caused by technology. If our minds are becoming impoverished, human behavior is to blame.

Learn more about this author, Leigh Goessl.
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