Reading Response #1

Luke Buehrer
Reading response #1

In his recent work, “A New Literacy,” Clive Thompson brings up shows two points of view on the subject of technology influencing literacy. According to John Sutherland technology has turned our literacy into “bleak, bald short hand.” The other argument is that technology is bringing us back to the age of the Greeks, who used intellect and argument. Andrea Lunsford has found an increase of writing due to technology, and a new stirred passion.
I agree with parts of Thompson's article "The new literacy." Before technology writing outside of school was uncommon, unless, as Thompson says, "They got a job required producing text (like law advertising, or media)." This in turn made the average person less literate, simply because they didn't need to use it in their daily life. As technology evolved and the Internet became a norm, people started using it for socializing. Inevitably to communicate writing had to take place. Andrea Lunsford found that 38% of students writing takes place outside of the classroom, most likely on social sites like Face Book and Twitter. Technology has also helped people get their ideas out in a place that many people can see and comment on, this has many beneficial factors. First, sharing your opinion with others is a great way to find self-identity, and builds up your confidence. Second, it let’s people consider new ideas that they would never thought about and can lead to many intellectual conversations.
With all this in mind, I agree that literacy is changing and possibly improving, however there are certain parts I tend to disagree with. Even though there is a lot more writing taking place, can social web sites really help literacy? When you log on and read what people have to say the majority are shallow, self-centered comments either about some celebrity or just random blabbering that really has no value at all. I admit that’s not true of all the postings, but still can Lunsford 38% really be counted as a positive thing? Another bad thing that could come from social web sites is people might just want a place to fit in. This could lead to people ignoring their beliefs to be friends with someone half way around the world. Also, it can be additive. This is no joke, I know people that spend more time a day on the computer than any thing else. I honestly find it hard to have a strong opinion on the matter because there are so many things to consider, and I never even use a computer for social stuff. But what I am certain of is that writing in my generation is immensely changed from my parent’s generation, because of technology.
If it is a good thing or a bad thing I not sure, technology has made writing a more commonly practiced skill that lets others share their personal opinions in creative ways, leading to great debate and conversation. While at the same time can be very shallow and unemotional rubbish.