I interpreted his statement as meaning that google searches replace the requirement to memorize minute details of things that aren't commonly used or necessary to commit to memory. For example, I may know about php's preg_match, but I haven't used it in 2 years... so if a project calls for it I can just do a quick search for preg_match and see all the details that I need to know. I didn't have to have everything in memory since I wasn't using it. We have a built-in garbage collector in our minds that slowly clears out things that we don't use. But when we do learn it for a second time it comes back very quickly.
Good coders are clever problem solvers and well-organized thinkers. They don't need to have photographic memories that store every possible command and instruction, even ones that they have never ever used and find no use for. As long as you know what is relevant for the current task and have a peripheral awareness of what else exists, you can do your current tasks and know what to search for in books or on google if something out of the ordinary is required.
Good coders are clever problem solvers and well-organized thinkers. They don't need to have photographic memories that store every possible command and instruction, even ones that they have never ever used and find no use for. As long as you know what is relevant for the current task and have a peripheral awareness of what else exists, you can do your current tasks and know what to search for in books or on google if something out of the ordinary is required.