With the development of technology and all the new means it brought, writing has changed. The mere process of leaving ink on the paper altered little, although the pixels replaced the paper, and the keyboard substituted the pens. More importantly, the very reason why people continue to write has changed. Ong emphasizes that recognizing writing as an artificial process is praising it since writing is “essential for the realization of fuller, interior, human potentials” (Ong 59). This paper aims to discuss how modern technologies have become an integral part of everyday life.
Remarkably, Ong says that technologies can be used to transform the mind. The author is sure that writing heightens consciousness, and technology can bring uplifting transformations to the soul through writing. This is because both writing and technology allow for leaving the ‘natural milieu’ and obtaining a more distant perspective necessary for consciousness (Ong 60). He believes that technologies are natural to humans who tend to create artificial objects and use them to make lives easier and more productive.
These thoughts are particularly interesting if applied to one of the most widespread computer programs – Google search. Some critics say that Google ‘makes people stupid,’ although this is not true. Google allows 24/7 free access to information, and relaying information seems to be the initial purpose of its invention (Carr 89). No less intriguing, with the development of free social relations on the web, browsing power became a new normal. Searching for almost anything online at the most basic level became a quest for power. This form of consuming information was historically considered taboo and seen as detrimental to the reading process (Carr 90). However, now it has become a natural approach to web surfing.
The very concept of “power browsing” stands out among other related terms and sounds rather convincing. Carr says, “In Google’s view, information is a kind of commodity, a utilitarian resource that can be mined and processed with industrial efficiency” (91). This idea can serve as a case for Google, and, importantly, it brings no critical implications. Prior to reading the article, one could expect to learn new biases against Google and, by extension, against any information acquired through digital means. But the author chose to approach this subject in a fair manner and provide insight into explaining why Google exists.
Additionally, the author has related writing to death by alluding that it is an artificial creation that is invaluable. With the development and advancement of technology, slowly writing is becoming outdated and being replaced by the use of machines. Further, the author alludes that writing fulfills the human consciousness and consequently it is essential for human life, meaning that without life, writing is equally dead since it plays a substantial role in human life the alienation from a natural milieu. Relating writing to death implies that there are increased technological inventions that outperform writing. Writing, therefore, has no future since everything that is currently communicated through writing may be captured and delivered in other ways due to the new technologies.
Thus, it was discussed how modern technologies have become an integral part of everyday life. Writing and searching for information using Google and other digital technologies have become natural. Technology enhances our striving for a better perspective and allows us to uplift our souls. Although sometimes people see Google as a tool for power browsing, this concept should rather be understood as empowerment of nature by artificial inventions rather than domination over it.
Works Cited
Carr, Nicholas. “Is Google making us stupid?” Teachers College Record 110.14 (2008): 89-94.
Ong, Walter. “Writing restructures consciousness.” Communication in History. Routledge, 2018. 59-64.