(Article) Research: Internet Almighty?

I remember those afternoon trips to the public library to do "research" for those 10-15 page school papers, with evenings spent fighting whichever sister was hogging our family's only dictionary. My oldest two sisters finally got smaller versions, leaving the big dictionary to the younger kids who had no need to carry words in pockets.

The Internet has made such ease for writing with a quick check of spelling and word alternatives. Need a fact to punch up a story, or need to check facts you'd swear true? No problem, just check online. The Internet boasts millions- billions of every source imaginable.

Yet, the Internet misses the distinct flavor of library research, when students had to actually read an expert to find that one precise quote to round out a thesis statement, support an argument, or tie that final loose end. It's too easy now to find the quotes, which then become too easy to take out of context. Why bother reading the chapter or entire book to see if a writer actually agrees with your point of view?

The Internet can give you those millions of results in 0.45 seconds. But it cannot summarize the intricate labors of thinkers and writers. For that, schools, homes, and the Internet still needs readers, willing to look deeper than the fast find, willing to turn pages, and get lost at least a few times while trying to figure out what a writer is really trying to say.