A new theory claims that Google Maps is brainwashing us. Here’s everything you need to know about the theory of extended cognition.
Over a billion people use Google Maps each month to navigate the world. From traffic detours to locating restaurants, it’s become a default way of how we experience and interact with the world. But what if this go-to tool is doing more than just guiding you from point A to B?
Recent changes—like renaming the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America” and reverting “Mount Denali” back to “Mount McKinley”—have sparked debate. These updates weren’t accidental; they stem from political directives. But it isn’t just the name changes that are making people question things. It’s also the fact that Google is deleting negative reviews of the change.
While a name swap on a map might seem harmless, some researchers argue it could be much more significant. It could actually be a form of cognitive manipulation. But is Google Maps actually brainwashing us?
To answer that, we need to look at all the evidence. This whole idea is tied to a concept called extended cognition.
