Reflective Searching

I am ashamed, but it is true, to say that I have similar characteristics of the Google Generation. They say we are all the Google Generation now though. When I need or want to know something then I pull out my smartphone, iPad, or laptop and Google it. Even if I am looking for scholarly information I Google it, but I make sure to get the information from a reputable site because it makes me feel better and more credible. I am careful when I am searching on the internet, because I know there is a lot of nonsense out there that can get me in trouble. There is a ton of information, but is it all true? No, of course not, and I know that. That is why when I do a search I am extremely careful to pay attention to what I am doing, where my information is coming from, and to cross-reference my information. I was reading the article, The Information Behavior of Researcher of the Future, and I was cringing the whole time. That was partly due to the fact that my birth year almost makes me a literal Google Generationer (I made that word up because it sounds cool) and partly because it totally describes me. I love to open a book and smell the pages, but I only love to open a book to smell the pages. I would much rather do research on Google and read books on my Kindle. I don't even like other search engines at all. I will occasionally use GoogleScholar, but again that is only to get reputable information and because it is a branch of Google (yep, Google Generationer here). I guess what I need to do to keep myself open to the world outside of Google (is there even one?!) is to open my filter bubble. AHH, that sounds scary! I need to start using the virtual libraries available to me, to strengthen my knowledge about scholarly sites, and to just get out of my comfort zone in order to learn more about the growing technology around me.