Lovely Words
Friday, 3 August 2007 by Joscelynn TomawMy reason for following blogs so closely is that I find written debate in areas such as politics, economics, and religion better reasoned and less inflamatory than verbal debate; I tend to believe that increased ease of written communication via email and blogging enhances discussion of these topics. Diane and Michael Ravitch, guest blogging at Moreover, examine the possible effects of quick and easy communication on poetry and literature, forms of writing that previously took more time and consideration to produce:
Is the internet good for literature? On first glance, it might seem so. Between internet forums, online diaries in the form of blogs and the constant use of messages and emails, nearly everyone is writing and reading more than we did just a few years ago, when the ubiquity of television and the telephone together seemed to be making literacy obsolete. On the other hand, if literature represents a higher value than just the sheer quantity of words, the internet might not be such a beacon of hope. Even if great and significant work were being done somewhere on the World Wide Web, who could find it?
So are we wising up or dumbing down? Do you find elegant prose on the internet? Even if it can’t be found on the internet, is it something you otherwise seek out?
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August 6th, 2007 at 14:22
As a practicing prof, I actually think the internet is killing protocol and decorum. University students, even 10 years again, did not have the ease of access to their professors that they do today. Formerly, students had to either appear in person at the professor’s office, or call the professor and talk directly over the phone, if they wanted to ask a question, appeal a grade, beg for more time, etc. Now it seems that they can fire off a quick, and usually impertinent email in seconds, immediately whenever an issue enters their mind. There is no “cooling off” period.
So, when paper grades roll out, or especially final grades, suddenly angry emails saying disrespectful things like, “I think you need to give my grade another look (implying I did not grade “right” the first time),” or “It seems I can’t get above a C in your class, you must not like me,” or another of my favorites, “my essay was good/I didn’t write that/you gave my friend an A and I know my was better.” If they had to come face-to-face, even with non-threatening little me, they suddenly lose some of their steam and argue a bit more coherently, politely, and logically. It’s like the old Merlot email bit - and my personal maxim - “think once before you say it, twice before you write it, and thrice before you email it.”
Chris
August 6th, 2007 at 18:59
Chris, I guess they forgot to tell you that everyone deserves A’s now!