I think the term "google programmer" covers too much ground to make a blanket statement.
On one hand, Google and StackOverflow can serve as an easy to use interface to documentation and troubleshooting information. I think this use of Google is great.
On the other hand, it's also possible to use them as a source of copy/paste code snippets without necessarily understanding what the code is doing. This second kind of "google programmer" is a huge problem. These are the type of people we all laugh at for not being able to solve FizzBuzz (assuming they haven't found somebody else's solution to copy/paste).
> The thing a degree does though, is make sure people know what stackoverflow code to ignore.
I wouldn't count on it. Even if a code snippet on SO is 100% correct, that doesn't mean it'll be the best solution outside of the original asker's situation.
The thing a degree does though, is make sure people know what stackoverflow code to ignore.
You can certainly obtain the same knowledge on your own, and you can certainly avoid getting it with your degree.
The thing is though, hiring people is about minimizing risks. The most expensive mistake you can make as a manager is hiring the wrong person, and degrees offer the highest probability of skilled labour.