So, what is a postliterate society and is it one word or two? Wiki gave an interesting definition but was gracious enough to say that it was not supported. Stephen's Lighthouse refers to it in a quick review of another article. The more I delved into this the deeper I got (ok, that was obvious), but it does make me wonder.
In the article that got this started for me, Doug Johnson does a really good job of pointing out how libraries are swinging in to serving a post literate society. I thought the quote from Plato was just perfect. Apparently, the written word was the new fangled fad of the day and Plato could see where it was going to soften up the minds of those who use it (isn't that what has been said about the book, radio, tv, and the internet? Hulu has a commercial based on that right now!).
I am leaving you with Plato's thoughts to ponder and decide which side of the literate you are on?
In Phaedrus, Plato decries an "alternate" communication technology:
"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."
Doug Johnson says that , "The Greek philosopher was, of course, dissing the new technology of his day: writing. Plato might well approve of our return to an oral tradition in a digital form. But his quote also demonstrates that sometimes our greatest fears become our greatest blessings."
1 comment:
I really liked the Plato quote as well. I've never been a good storyteller, but my memory is quite good, as you know. I feel that Plato's philosophy is partially correct in that, if you don't use it, you lose it, which is why I try to remember as many things as possible (passwords, anyone?).
Interesting you made the connection with Hulu's ads.
I think we are on our way to being post-literate, but as we've discussed before, and as I think Shirky and others have said, nothing is going to totally replace what we're already using...at least not in the near future.
Post a Comment