The Texting Technology

There has been a major progression with writing from writing on tablets, walls, paper to now writing on screens which are small and big. The progression of writing has came rapidly, and many people believe because of the new forms of writing, writing with pen and paper may become obsolete. This is similar to thousands of years ago where people felt that writing was dangerous to the mind, in that we were depending on writing then our minds. I remember reading about how Plato Socrates was against writing because it could not do what speaking could do. Although many people felt this way, many saw the good in writing as well. Kalmback states, “Writing systems were no longer solely a means of preserving traditional texts. They could be used to create new ideas and to communicate those ideas to others. New technologies enabled the Greeks to use written language in new ways”(222). All of these things are how many people feel about actual writing with pen and paper then “typing,” as well as question how switching to a keyboard and screen will affect the younger generation in learning to read and write.

Kalmback mentions many writing technologies through his book, some I did not know about previously to this reading. As I have said it is interesting to see the progression of writing, of where we were to where we are now. Another form of technology that is very popular in today’s society is texting. Texting on a cell phone has taken writing to a new medium. We now are able to carry portable devices everywhere we go, and communicate with one another as much as we like in a fast amount of time. We text constantly and its convenient when our devices are a key part of our lives where they are with us wherever we go. Texting has changed the way we communicate, in that we no longer have to write a letter to someone, mail it, and wait days until it gets there, and wait days until that person writes us back. Today, it is all instantaneous. We can communicate with someone half way across the world and have conversations in a day that many people years ago would take months to discuss through the mail.

Texting is indeed changing the way people read and write. We no longer are writing with pen and paper we are now “texting” through a virtual keyboard and a small screen which is with us wherever we go. Many people are fearful in the way this may affect our reading and writing skills, in my experience I learned to read and write the old fashion way with pencil, pen and paper. Now I hardly write with these tools, I constantly use a keyboard, virtual keyboard and screen to communicate with whoever it may be. I often wonder if writing with pen and pencil will become obsolete with the younger generation, how will texting and typing affect their learning? Will schools continue to teach reading and writing as they used to? Or will they use technology to teach reading and writing? I remember, I had just gotten into 4th grade when they started teaching students how to type on a computer. This makes me wonder how much younger they are starting children in learning to type. Only time will tell….

Peeples, Tim. Professional Writing and Rhetoric:Readings from the Field. 218-233. Print.