My favorite article in WRD 205 has been Baron’s ever since we read it, and we read a lot of illuminating pieces. I wrote another wordy blog post about his research and my love of pens earlier in the quarter. In general, I can be somewhat of a technophobe, so it was at once fascinating and oddly comforting to read about the changes that all technology associated with writing and literacy is subject to.
[Honestly, I talk about pencils far more often than necessary. Like on first dates. You know who wants to talk about the evolution of pencils? Not the guy who also doesn’t want to talk about kids, that’s for sure. And now it looks like I’m buying my own drink.]Reflecting on Baron, I was reminded of a conversation I had with the King of WRD (or, less formally, Department Chair) Pete Vandenberg about technology and the article in question. Some things were said, but then Pete dropped a bomb: “I mean, think about it: I have the same phone as Donald Trump, as major political figures and millionaires.”
He’s right–one of Baron’s crucial steps in the assimilation and acceptance of literacy technology is that the technology be made accessible to the masses. Smartphones, wearable tech, etc. are all so commonplace that it’s hard even for older generations like the Baby Boomers who lived without even imagining such applied science and witnessed each rapid advancement to think about life without them.
Shuddering at the thought of the impending loss of net neutrality regulations and how that will affect the content us regular folk can access, I still marvel at the idea that while I can’t do everything with these devices that the Secret Service can, it’s possible we have the same devices.
What is the noticeable difference when I can do many of the same things that Donald Trump can (and assuredly better than the man in question)? (Hopefully resistance.) What unknown hurdles does this present to existing authorities as bestows untapped powers to the common man? (See: Twitter Revolution.) Similarly, does my image of those with wealth or power change when I can break down their advantages into acquisitions? (Absolutely.)
[Side note: the Secret Service has their own Twitter page which kind of seems like something that wouldn’t be well-advised given that they’re supposed to be, ya know, secret.]
