While I am currently absorbed in reading The Shallows: What The Internet Is Doing To Our Brains written by Nicholas Carr, I have stumbled upon a quote that makes me come to a realization about our generation. In chapter four of this book, one of the kings of Egypt, Thamus, states in Plato's Phaedrus:
"[Writing] will implant forgetfulness in their souls: they will cease to exercise memory because they rely on that which is written, calling things to remembrance no longer within themselves, but by means of external marks." (54)
After reading this chapter, I have come to a conclusion that everything that we create, including technology, has affected us positive ways and negative ways, even in the smallest manners. I presumed that the invention of writing was a completely constructive development to humans (although it is), but I had not realized that it caused a great deal to our oral culture. Thamus refused to teach his citizens how to read hieroglyphs simply because he thought they'd be forgetful and rely on writing it. As we all know, reading is a beneficial way for remembering. But, some people retain information differently (orally, visually, kinethestic).
The written culture has brought many discoveries and developments such as: science, history, philosophy, the understanding of art, and the expansion of language. It makes me wonder, what would our culture be like today without the alphabet, any written systems, or a way of communication. It is conspicuous that we value any means of communications. What do you think we'd rely on? How much of an impact has the oral culture had on us?
Nikk Chhou
We are always talking about means of communication such as speech or script, but what we fail to notice is the importance of body language. Body language has always been a part of us humans, working to help us convey meaning through gestures and facial expressions. That is why, even if we were to not have any form of an alphabet or written words, we can always rely on our speeech and body language to convey our thoughts. Also, oral culture is still prevalent in some situations in our society today, as it is easier to determine whether someone is lying whe you're talking directly to them. That is why testimony in court is always spoken, as is pointed out by Neil Postman.
ReplyDeleteYou make curious points, Nikk. I'd like to take it further by bringing in some information I gathered while reading Alone Together by Sherry Turkle. In our generation, we rely heavily on writing yes to remember but also to depict what we'd like to say. As Linh mentions in the comment above, people ideally are supposed to be able to communicate through speaking and using our body language, but many people today especially teens have trouble doing so. We have labeled it as socially awkward or heard the phrase that one is "better on paper" and now "cooler on the internet." Today, we've gone past the age of just the written language and typography and are currently in the age of technology. With text messaging and social media available to us, people are no longer as exposed to physical interaction and communication anymore, and now it's become very difficult for many people to talk to people in real life or just experience the world unattached to technology. We've become more comfortable behind a screen or a keyboard, and being face to face with someone has made us even more anxious. As you said, the things we have built have affected us greatly, both positively and negatively. The irony here and what I've gathered reading so far is that technology designed to destroy the boundaries and distance that once kept us from connecting with others is now a big help in keeping us away from being in touch with and avoiding our human companions. There are people out there who are now more comfortable being with a robot than with another human being. If we didn't have all these things, or more realistically, if we set limitations and boundaries on them or on ourselves, perhaps the world wouldn't be stuck in such a state of being so close yet so far apart from one another.
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