I think the internet is a wonderful tool for gathering information and ideas.  However, you need the ability to THINK to apply the information and ideas otherwise they are useless.  I have to agree with Nicholas Carr.  The internet is a good example of quantity vs. quality.  If one is able to differentiate this shouldn't be an issue.  When individuals just  pick up small blocks of information necessary for a report or paper or just normal curiousity they aren't seeing the entire picture, this could lead to misinformation and it seems very little actual learning would occur.  Reading a Wikipedia article on WWII does give near the in-depth knowledge that they would gain from checking out a few books from the library. The internet typically gives us enough information to reword and tap out a paper, wehereas by reading a couple of books on whatever subject, one is able to immerse their mind in that subject for a little while and hopefully kick off some thought processes that will allow you to retain some of the information. The internet is a very useful though, if I wanted to learn how to make Apple Pie, I wouldn't want to have to buy a thirty dollar cookbook, drive to the store and buy it, bring it back home, go get my ingredients, bring them back home, and finally set about making my pie.  Being able to simply "google" apple pie recipe is ridiculously easier.  But I haven't lost anything, I've actually saved time and money.