It's google that's gotten worse. It's harder to find specific or niche information nowadays because Google doesn't respect search operators and will instead show you the results for more common searches. That might be fine if you're looking for general information, but it means that looking up specific facts (part numbers, error messages, etc.) they will drown you in SEO-optomized vague garbage results.
I'd also love some alternatives to use for troubleshooting. I just want to find the niche forum posts where people are discussing my specific issue!
Idk where I originally heard it, but “learned helplessness” is definitely an epidemic among the average population. With how easy it is to just look stuff up these days, you have to be actively going out of your way to avoid picking up basic skills like these.