Writing,
as Walter J. Ong mentioned, serves human as a technology just like computers.
Perhaps very few of us noticed that because writing is so common in 21st century which most of us understand
it. However, the situation is very different thousands years ago there are only
very few people know how to write and read. Indeed, writing should be treated
as a technology, and whenever a new technology come out it usually brought lots
of critiques. According to the book, Plato argues that “writing destroys memory,”
which I believe many people lives in 21st century would disagree with his
opinion. In my opinion, I even believe that writing helps people to memory
stuffs. Maybe Plato had that kind of opinion because he didn’t fully understand
about writing since writing is a new and rare technology back in his time; just
like many people in 21st century
do not fully understand what computers and digital technologies can do.
A new technology which people don’t fully understand always brings problems and critiques. Thus, as a technology writing also faced the same issues hundreds ago. It is wonderful that human beings developed so many writing systems through hundreds and thousands of years. To me, I believe writing is not only a technology, but also a cultural products which represent certain civilizations.
As the author mentioned, before Yi Dynasty Korea uses Chinese characters as their writing system. Nowadays, there are still many languages or Chinese dialect that uses Chinese characters as their writing system. A writing system with a powerful culture is likely to spread and influence other cultures. Before Qin Dynasty, there were seven different kingdoms uses seven different writing systems in China. After Qin conquered the other six kingdoms the emperor implement a new writing system and wipe out all the other writing systems in China. Therefore, I believe that writing is not only a technology, but also a cultural products that represent a civilization and its power.
A new technology which people don’t fully understand always brings problems and critiques. Thus, as a technology writing also faced the same issues hundreds ago. It is wonderful that human beings developed so many writing systems through hundreds and thousands of years. To me, I believe writing is not only a technology, but also a cultural products which represent certain civilizations.
As the author mentioned, before Yi Dynasty Korea uses Chinese characters as their writing system. Nowadays, there are still many languages or Chinese dialect that uses Chinese characters as their writing system. A writing system with a powerful culture is likely to spread and influence other cultures. Before Qin Dynasty, there were seven different kingdoms uses seven different writing systems in China. After Qin conquered the other six kingdoms the emperor implement a new writing system and wipe out all the other writing systems in China. Therefore, I believe that writing is not only a technology, but also a cultural products that represent a civilization and its power.
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