Like I've said before, I dread reading long texts and thought this was going to be another one that dragged out...but instead I was actually suprised by how interesting I found it! It was interesting how Enzensberger theorized how every form of technology was coming together to becom one universal system. I mean, look at something like Skype. You can instant message, communicate via voice computer to computer, communicate via voice computer to telephone, or use a webcam. You can contact almost everyone through one universal system!
The section that stood out most to be was 'The Supersession of Written Culture". Like Enzensberger says, almost everybody speaks better than he writes. He then goes on to say, "Spelling mistakes, which are completely immaterial in terms of communication, are punished by the social disqualification of the write" (273). I completely agree with that. I can't stand reading something where the write has awful grammar and can't spell. In my opinion it totally reflects poorly on the writer. I understand if someone has a learning disability but even then there are so many resources to go to, to get work edited.
Another quote I found thought provoking was "Microphone and camera abolish the class character of the mode of production...", hahaha, I wonder what he'd have to say about online classes! Where we don't have to manually write anything, face to face communication with our professor and classmates are minimal and our 'classroom' could be a coffee shop, our bed, the library, a bus, where ever we have internet connection! Like he wrote, "Electronic are noticeably taking over writing; teleprinters, reading machines, high speed transmissions, automatic photographic and electronic composition, automatic writing devices, typesetters, electrostatic process, ampex libraries, cassette encyclopedias, photocopiers and magnetic copiers, speed printers..." (273). There are so many more technological advances that we could add to that list. Texting, word processors, instant messaging, emails, etc etc! When talking to my boyfriend about this article he gave me one I didn't even come near to thinking about...a GPS; no need to read directions, write them down or even look them up. Type in the address and a GPS sends you where you need to go!
Have a great weekend, everyone!!!
Hey Veggie Delite! After I read your post, I realized that you picked up on different points throughout Enzensberger’s article than I did, which was nice to read someone else’s point of view on the article. When you stated that he theorized how all the forms of technology are coming together to become one universal system and you gave the example of Skype. I personally felt that after reading Enzensberger’s article, he just seemed to have a lot of hatred towards the media and how he feels they completely manipulate us. However, after reading your example with Skype in relation to how different forms of technology came together to create a universal system, made me realize that maybe Enzensberger really did nail that theory right on the head. It is very true that with all of these great technological advances we are able to do lots of neat stuff that we were not able to do before, like you mentioned, using a GPS. Good work on your blog post! You seemed to have really grasped the idea of his article and you were able to discuss some of the points that I did not really catch on to, so nice work.
ReplyDelete~Babs