Kyle's Post

[Kyle Menken]

During this lab, we want you to engage in both thought and discussion
about the impact of technology (specifically computer technology) on our
society and ourselves. Feel free to write on whatever you wish so long
as it is technology related. Iąll make some comments to try to start up
a conversation, but feel free to engage in other discussions going on.

Below is a quote from the ancient philosopher Plato. In this selection
(taken from
http://english.ttu.edu/kairos/2.1/features/brent/platowri.htm), he is
Śreportingą a fictional conversation between Theuth, the inventor of
writing, and the King of Egypt. Theuth starts the conversation:

"This discipline, my King, will make the Egyptians wiser and will
improve their memories: my invention is a recipe for both memory and
wisdom." But the King said, "Theuth, my master of arts, to one man it is
given to create the elements of an art, to another to judge the extent
of harm and usefulness it will have for those who are going to employ
it. And now, since you are father of written letters, your paternal
goodwill has led you to pronounce the very opposite of what is their
real power. The fact is that this invention will produce forgetfulness
in the souls of those who have learned it. They will not need to
exercise their memories, being able to rely on what is written, calling
things to mind no longer from within themselves by their own unaided
powers, but under the stimulus of external marks that are alien to
themselves. So it's not a recipe for memory, but for reminding, that you
have discovered. And as for wisdom, you're equipping your pupils with
only a semblance of it, not with truth. Thanks to you and your
invention, your pupils will be widely read without benefit of a
teacher's instruction; in consequence, they'll entertain the delusion
that they have wide knowledge, while they are, in fact, for the most
part incapable of real judgment. They will also be difficult to get on
with since they will have become wise merely in their own conceit, not
genuinely so." . . .

I make somewhat the same contention in relation to how computer
technology has affected our use of language. For instance, far too many
people rely on automatic spellcheckers and thesauruses (proper spelling:
thesauri, for those who are really concerned!). People donąt check
grammar unless a green squiggly line appears under a sentence. Programs
like MSN messenger have created for some very poor grammatical and
spelling habits. I have witnessed this in assignments this term, even.
However, we have to ask ourselves: are these changes not bastardizations
but merely changes in the way we use language? Should acronyms like
Śpplą, Ślolą, Śttylą be in the dictionary? Should we say that the type
of grammar usually employed in programs like MSN messenger is merely
another form of grammar and writing, or a very improper use of language
in general? Do thinks like automatic spelling and grammar checks
facilitate our writing in a good way, or do they create for
semi-illiterate people who are used to having machines think for
themselves?

[Zoe McKnight]

I don't think that acronyms like 'lol' or 'ttyl' should be allowed in
modern dictionaries because they are not even English. However, I think
that too big a deal is made of this so-called 'bastardization' of
English during use of MSN messenger and other related technological
communication devices. Does it really make a difference if short-forms
are used during an on-line conversation? Are they really destroying the
English language? People should be smart enough to know that these forms
are not acceptable for school or professional use and if they are not,
then they are ignorant. Don't shoot the messenger (ooooh bad pun).