What is Happening to Writing?

Catherine Manett                                                                                               

10/16/11

WSC                                                                                                                       

Project 2

           

The most notable feature of technology is its ability to cooperate with a human being rather easily. Nearly all aspects of life are being simplified with the use of computers. This new generation of advancement, however, seems to frighten those who value more traditional mediums. One of the most distinct transitions has taken place in the writing industry. Hypertext and the Internet have seem to slowly taken the place of the printed book as discussed in Writing Space by Bolter. It is important to note that computers and technology have become such easy methods of exploration because in many ways they mimic the human mind and thought pattern.

The word processor is the closest resemblance to print text that is found on the computer. This is because the words typed on the document do not travel. For the most part, word documents are a collection of private works known only to its author until it is connected to an outside source. All though it is not the most innovative program on the computer, it still contains many components that resemble the work of the human mind, which is taking print text one step farther. Tools such as spell check and grammar check allow the machine to correct a human being when mistakes are made.  Word processors also allow for fast and easy change to any error made on the screen, unlike the traditional print text. Computers accommodate to human error and make correction simple, fast and unnoticeable.

The closest resemblance between technology and the human mind stems from both of their sources of ambiguity, relativity and exploration. Computers allow the human being to see writing in a three-dimensional form, much like the human thought process. Because humans do not think in one-dimensional terms, print text cannot be a sufficient medium for growth or education all the time.  Videos, graphics and links help to bring the bond between technology and its users closer as they feel that they are one with the machine and soon barely notice its presence. This idea is known as transparent media. “The medium is supposed to function as a window through which the viewer can see the objects represented” (Bolter, 25). The comparison of technology to a window expresses the idea that the human can see past the technological hardware itself. Although one cannot quite make the hardware disappear, it is simple to let oneself enter the three-dimensional world that technology has created. This is innovative and explorative like human instinct and it creates a desire to learn. Involving the reader in the text most easily keeps their attention. This is necessary in order to create a more enjoyable and over all productive environment.

Technology resembles the human mind through its three-dimensional and hands on ways of bringing the reader closer to reality than any other writing space ever before. Is it possible that technology resembles the human body as well? Seeing past the hardware of a computer or any form of technology is a form of advancement, however, the hardware itself also aids its user by morphing to the human body. Light and compactable phones make it easy to be connected with the world at all times. Keyboards on computers also allow the writer to express their ideas more quickly and more concisely then they would with paper and a pencil. ““I only wish I could write with both hands,” noted saint Teresa. “So as not to forget one thing while I am saying another””(Bolter, 33) Computers accommodate too the human body so well that they are almost becoming a part of it. It is not unusual to hear someone say that they would die without their handheld phone or laptop. Technology is becoming close to the human heart and most people are open to letting advancement into their lives because of the way it brings ease to their every day schedule.

A computer is like the human mind because of its speed and ambiguity. A computer is like the human body because of its importance, ease, size and attachment. Because the computer is so much like a human being does this mean that a computer is one? Finding the answer to this question is tricky because every individual has his or her own definition of what a human being is. Does having rationality make you a human being or does being human require a heartbeat? “Man is by nature a social animal; an individual who is unsocial naturally and not accidentally is either beneath our notice or more than human. Society is something that precedes the individual. Anyone who either cannot lead the common life or is so self-sufficient as not to need to, and therefore does not partake of society, is either a beast or a god. ” (Aristotle). Although Aristotle’s lived much before computers came about, his quotation does have relevance when considering the definition of technology. Computers are social in the way that they help to unite people from around the globe. Print text however, is most unsocial because it cannot travel and is often stable and not shared with others. According to Aristotle this would most likely make print a beast compared to hypertext because print is not without its faults. Hypertext allows for communication and the flow of ideas, which is an important aspect to all social and political change.

“We put all of our information out on the Internet, and this makes the Internet grow stronger each and every day. We made the Internet, and now it needs us to continue to exist. Where would the Internet be without us? Or is the real question, where would we be without the Internet?” (Dayna S) Daynas point on her invention blog is one that may be considered by many technophobic users. Most people who want to stick to traditional print text are afraid of how powerful technology has become as well as the level of dependency humans have began to have on it. Many writers have explored Daynas idea of super human computers and evil creations come to life, such as James Cameron in The Terminator and Marry Shelly in Frankenstein.  Although these two works are mostly fantastical, it can be frightening to some to think of how humanistic computers have become in various ways. Of course the idea of being taken over by something we have created is also bit frightening as well, be it mangled carcasses sewn together or a computer. Because computers resemble the mind and body of a human being they may soon be considered human or maybe even super human as time goes by. What is happening to writing? Writing has become seeing, hearing, feeling and experiencing what the author wants their audience to. This can be accredited to technology and its ability to touch the human senses.