How I really feel about "Is Google making Us Stupid"

As I read, researched, and participated in the Voicethread debates on this article, I found myself very much split down the middle in many of the points that were raised by both sides of this argument. Being the quintessential Digital Immigrant, I am at times, overwhelmed with the amount of data at our fingertips. I really can see both sides of this ever growing concern that the instant availability of information and the domino effect it has. One thing that struck me as our teams worked through these debates was that  we very quickly moved from the specificity of Google to all aspects of the internet and social media and their respective positives and negatives. Ultimately, I am a work in progress. Some days, I really cannot get past the fact I have 50+ emails from my job plus another 20 from my university, social networking added to the readings, posts of classes, and general interaction with the internet I do on a daily basis. If I allow myself to think about all of that, it is easy to fall into the trap of assuming that this is all bad for me, and somehow, my critical thinking is suffering at some level. If I really step back however, I find that much of my being overwhelmed is self-imposed. In reality, the internet while wonderful, resourceful, and at times, intoxicating, is a great tool, that when used responsibly as any other, can enhance learning, and in some cases actually change the world.