I am a non-native speaker. 95% of my contact with English is via a computer. There's the google effect: I press Ctrl+T, type tr(anslate.google.com) -> enter an

I am a non-native speaker. 95% of my contact with English is via a computer. There's the google effect: I press Ctrl+T, type tr(anslate.google.com) -> enter and type the word to get an instant translation. In the old times I had very restricted access to the Internet. I used a paper dictionary and bothered to write the word down so I won't forget. I can express myself without a dictionary, but often I _know_ there is a better word and instead of attempting to recall it for a minute I can get it within seconds. My skills worsen as this lookup became a habit. It is a muscle reflex, with paper dictionaries I had to decide to spend the time to research. I should counteract this, but the world is busy and I keep finding other things to do. In the older times, workers were forced to use their muscles. Now they have robots and physical strength became less important. The same thing happens with foreign languages, basic arithmetic etc. On the one hand, I can focus on high-level tasks; on the other, with no low-level practice I am effectively becoming disabled. Simultaneously and bit ironically, I am a programmer and I love when a task can be done without human intervention.