Reading Response #1

In his recent work, Clive Thompson suggests that technology is pushing literacy in exciting new directions. And instead of hurting literacy, technology is simply changing it. 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. 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? I find it hard to have a strong opinion on the matter because there are so many things to consider. 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. While at the same time can be very shallow and unemotional rubbish.