March, 14 - Technology and Writing

In the beginning, there was cuneiform on clay... 

Clay gave way to papyrus scrolls, giving way to parchment... 

Forever changing written text, Gutenberg's press...

In the next stages of evolution, the typewriter, followed by the word processor, followed by the personal computer...

And finally, chat rooms, texting, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter...

Once upon a time, text messages were not part of any unlimited data plans and were limited to 160 characters or less. This meant the writer had to condense and abbreviate words to maximize space.  In addition to the use of online chat rooms, this is when "textspeak" became a regular part of our language. Textspeak includes condensed phrases such as LOL, JK, BRB, and other similar acronyms. 

With the advent of typewriters and word processors, one could spill thoughts onto a page usually quicker than writing, and without cramped hands. Technological advances in writing have obvious advantages, and this is one example.  Technology will always have a shadow side, however...  

Technology's Impact on Written Communication...

While I don't expect every single person to express him or herself in grammatically correct language one hundred percent of the time, a failure to aim for that goal makes it much harder to write correctly when it counts the most.  

An example:  Once upon a time while in college, I thought I would instant message some friends, as I typed a paper for class.  I noticed that I would type instant messages using various typing shortcuts, which made it exponentially more difficult and time consuming to type my academic paper.  Why?  After I typed a message to a friend, I would continue that same habit of typing shortcuts in my paper, and I would have to think harder about typing full words, and with correct punctuation. If I had simply aimed for typing correctly while chatting with my friends (making some concessions for the sake of speed, perhaps), then my mind and fingers would have more easily completed the task of typing my academic paper.  Can you imagine if I consistently used those shortcuts while chatting or texting, and never had to practice correct grammar?  Does the phrase, "If you don't use it, you'll lose it" come to mind? 

This "losing it" is how I interpret the shadow side of e-communication.  If you can remain mindful of that shadow side, and manage it, then you can reap the advantages technology provides. 

When have you experienced miscommunication as a result of typing shortcuts?

...Until next week!