Writing as a Technology

After reading the Baron and Manguel texts, and completing my own writing tech. project, I keep thinking how easy my life is thanks to the progress mankind has made in writing technology. The Manguel reading, though dense with historical information, was eye-opening for me because I was unaware of just how many forms the book took on before it became what I so easily open today. It is interesting to think that I stray from large hard-cover books because they are too bulky for my taste, and at one point in time, books could be read from several feet away because they were so large.

I found that the two texts were similar in that they both mentioned how the cost-effectiveness of newer writing technologies influences whether or not it will benefit society. Some technologies may be very effective, however, if only a select group of people can afford it, then the technology is not improving literacy and writing in the long run. In addition, it seems that both writers are making a statement about the way that new technologies can so easily take over the old, causing us to change our reading and writing habits. For example, Baron explains that he has an enormous amount of trouble trying to make notes on paper if his computer isn't nearby; he can't connect his thoughts with paper and pen as he can so effortlessly with a computer and keyboard. Perhaps this relates a bit to what Plato was getting at when Socrates stated that writing causes people to forget. As technology continues to evolve and grow more complex, our writing techniques are changing in a way that may make us too dependant on the technology to the point where we struggle when writing without it. I am much like Baron in that I have hard time organizing my thoughts when I write them on paper because I can't record them as quickly as my mind is generating them; therefore, my writing doesn't seem as complete in my opinion.

Another interesting point that Baron made was this: "Not only must the new technology be accessible and useful, it must demonstrate trustworthiness as well." I think this message relates to all of the readings so far in that the reading and writing audience will only take advantage of modern writing technologies if they feel comfortable using it. Manguel, Plato (to an extent) and Ong maintain that while writing and technology is artificial, it allows us to record our thoughts and make them avaiable to others. This is writing technology's most important purpose.