Where do we go from here?

Throughout history the invention of new technologies has helped to shape our society. These inventions included many new forms of communication. Going back through history to before the existence of media, we witness the inventions that made communication and the media we know it today possible. From tokens used for trading, to the invention of the alphabet, these primary developments in communication across societies helped shape our media today. The invention of papyrus (or paper) in about 2680-2540 B.C. paved the way for documentation of information. Having papyrus to write on helped societies pass information on throughout history.

Papyrus was a transition from previous stone writing, to a much lighter writing medium (Crowley, 23). Some might argue that the writing was now hastily written, unlike the careful precision previously used on stone monuments (Crowley, 24). This is can be viewed as the loss of an art form. “After 2000 B.C. the central administration employed an army of scribes, and literacy was valued as a stepping-stone to prosperity and social rank (Crowley, 24). Due to the power associated with the knowledge to read and write, there was a redistribution of power. Those who were not literate relied on others to interpret this new form of communication for them. The society became more hierarchical in nature, with those who were literate possessing a powerful knowledge. Therefore the pharaoh was able to gain power, as well as to spread power.

Not all effects of the invention of papyrus are negative. There were a lot of positive gains made to society through the invention of papyrus. Papyrus allowed for portability and ease of communication over distances. One could even argue that this was able to increase the size of society. The power the limited number of people who could read and write held made them essential to society. Another extremely important aspect of this invention was its ability to organize complex data in new ways. Papyrus elaborated on the already present system of accounting that came with the invention of tokens. In turn it strengthened a growing economic society. This helped to introduce a system of education focusing on grammar and mathematics (Crowley, 28).

Focusing on the negative aspects to change seems to be at the forefront of current discussions. Many people argue that literacy in America is disappearing (Gardner). According to Susan Jacoby, a journalist for the Washington Post, “Americans are in serious intellectual trouble – in danger of losing our hard-won cultural capital to a virulent mixture of anti-intellectualism, anti-rationalism and low expectations.” These arguments come from people who think that technology is basically making Americans lazy and stupid. However, optimists believe inventions such as the internet are bringing a new, participatory culture of words (Gardner). I agree with Gardner’s argument that, “Literacy—or an ensemble of literacies—will continue to thrive, but in forms and formats we can’t yet envision.

Before the invention of papyrus, would that society have been able to envision the new forms of writing and communication that it would bring? Most likely no. This is probably similar to the inability of society to envision the invention of a typewriter, and later the computer. People could not have even imagined possessing the ease of communication these forms of technology would bring. Humans are always striving to create new outlets of communication that will make public access to them possible. With each new form we see a change in our society, and as with any change people will argue whether the effects are positive or negative.

Knowing the potential arguments for the effect papyrus had on society, we must realize the positives outweigh the negatives. The development of a form of communication that increased the prosperity of those living in this society was essential to its growth. Also the working class citizens were able to sell and trade their goods in order to survive. This can be attributed in part to the invention of papyrus and its impact on creating an economy. Also the establishment of an educational system is an overwhelmingly positive affect. The need of the society required an educational system, which is partially responsible for the educational systems of today.

Papyrus helped shape and create a way of keeping and spreading information. I find it hard to believe that the creation of such new technologies creates unintelligent human beings. If anything it requires us to be further educated, as was the case with the invention of papyrus. I read books often for pleasure however, I learn more from the internet and news outlets then I do in a single book. Jacoby states, “But the inability to concentrate for long periods of time – as distinct from brief reading hits for information on the web – seems to me intimately related to the inability of the public to remember even recent news events” (Jacoby, 1). Sure web blogs and stories are not as long as a 250 page book. But, after reading a short blurb people have a concise overview of a story. They can then decide whether it is of interest to them, and if they want to research it further. Despite all of the current technological advances literacy has been able to survive thus far. People like Jacoby believe technological advances and the media are responsible for keeping United States citizens ignorant. But, memory and knowledge can never be universal. Everyone has a different interest and will therefore remember some things better than others.

The issue of new forms of media and their affect of society is not black or white. While some people blame technology for the loss of so called “art forms,” it is important to remember these technologies would not succeed without societies demand for them. Each successful technology shapes and alters our society. In return we receive new forms of media at our fingertips.

“But whatever our digital future brings, we need to overcome the perils of dualistic thinking, the notion that what lies ahead is either a utopia or a dystopia. If we’re going to make sense of what’s happening with literacy in our culture, we need to be able to triangulate: to bear in mind our needs and desires, the media as they once were and currently are, and the media as they’re continually transforming” (Gardner).

Works Cited:
Crowley, David. Heyer, Paul. Communication in history-Technology, Culture, Society. Pearson Education, Inc. 2007

Gardner, Howard. “The End of Literacy? Don’t Stop Reading.” WashintongPost.com. The Washington Post Company. 17 Feb. 2008. Web. 21 Sept. 2008. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/15/AR2008021502898.html

Jacoby, Susan. “The Dumbing of America.” WashingtonPost.com. The Washington Post Company. 17 Feb. 2008. Web. 20 Sept. 2008. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/15/AR2008021502901.html