The Dennis Baron article From Pencils to Pixels provides a brief history between the creation of the pencil and connects it to the creation of the computer we know today. One interesting point that I found (probably because I can relate to it) was in the beginning when he said that Braun often struggled writing and drafting notes during a conference because it was on a notepad instead of a virtual surface. He claimed that the physical effort of crossing things out and erasing seemed to almost overwhelm and restrict him. So, this made me think about how virtual surfaces help, but also hinder us on a daily basis. With the constant additions of technology in our lives, is there a point where there is simply too much technology and it is just easier to revert back to “pencil and paper?” Or do you think technology is only here to help, not hinder us?
2 thoughts on “The Computer Struggle”
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My optimistic views are definitely casting a shadow on this answer, but I feel as if all technology begins with the intent of helping humanity. For example, though the pencil might be simple, however when relating this text to the Cornelius article, it is obvious how much help a pencil is for literacy.
Adding to this idea, Baron has trouble reverting back to the pencil because of the ease of typing, but I do not think that hurts Baron in any way. If he never learned to write with a pencil because of new technology, yes that would be doing harm, however he knows how to write with a pencil, and note pad. It is just difficult, because he knows of the possible ease that he has available to him.
I understand the point that technologies can create a larger gap in active and routine texts, however I do not agree, because technology has opened up all sorts of different kinds of active text. The only thing that I can say does direct harm is the gap between low socioeconomic statuses could grow, but as Baron questions at the end, it is possible that one day a computer could be as simple as a pencil.
As “mint” said above I do not think in the case Baron technology was hindering or hurting him in any way. However you ask the question about a possible point in time when there will be “too much technology?” Without echoing the “kids these days” voice we know all to well, I say yes there may just be a time when technology could be “too much.” I would like to believe that technology is only developed to help individuals throughout the day but I find that as soon as technology attempts to totally eliminate a human skill it is problematic. For example, as a writing major I spend most of my time typing but every once in a while I revert back to the good ol’ pen and paper. Usually I pull out a pen to jot down an idea when a computer or phone is not available. If in the future students stopped learning penmanship in kindergarten they potentially will lose those spontaneous ideas. In short I am pro-technology as long as it does not cross the line and attempt to replace a human skill (i.e. writing, mental math)