How Technology is Changing the Place of Literature (Essay Sample)

Literature plays a key role in the general society; and in our individual lives in particular. Literature refers to the sphere of letters and writings of a particular era, especially those which have their value in their emotional effect or beauty of form (William 16). However, technology is now changing the place of literature. The Oxford dictionary defines technology as scientific knowledge applied for practical purposes, especially in solving problems or inventing useful tools (as cited by William 12). The Stone Age illustrates an example of technology when the first knife was made from stone or a piece of obsidian. Another example of technology today is the Internet which has facilitated the availability of real time information to anyone who is connected in a matter of seconds. Thus, any work that is not primarily written text is often considered as media, especially if it mostly relies on new technological developments. Media literature, therefore, serves various purposes which include education, entertainment, advertisement, and/or persuasion. Consequently, the media (through websites) has been defined as a distinct literature genre (23). Many educators are now recognizing the value of teaching media in class. Given that students are prone to be deeply exposed to this kind of literature than anything else in their entire lives, it is logical to instruct them on how to be critical and active media consumers. Alongside the fast growth in the field of Internet literacy, the skills needed to comprehend and use online information are becoming different from the skills needed to analyze information in print. In today’s world, most people who view things superficially, have begun to embrace the notion that in tomorrow’s technological world the role of literature looks poor (Greenberg, Schachterle 11). Technology brings with it both knowledge and power; whereas and both science and technology influence human life in various ways. Regardless, the extent and utility of technological applications are determined by culture, wisdom and priorities (15). On the other hand, literature reflects the emotions and moods of the times of its production; it is influenced by reflexes that result from the impact of science and technology. Modern technology is increasingly dominating the world, and this is likely to be more pronounced in future, due to fast developments that are taking a heavy toll on creative thinking and expression by humans. However, the idea that literature has no place in future is erroneous. There is no incentive to believe that the automatic way of life, whereby our actions, dictated more by computer culture, will kill the talent of authors, writers, biographers, poets and artists. Technology does not inhibit natural, diverse talent but it largely promotes an atmosphere for talent expression in many channels. More prosperity in diverse sectors helps much in creating highly valued literature that lasts, and this prosperity has been realized in many countries through technology. On the contrary, technological advancements may result to misery, for instance, through the subsequent unemployment in some cases. Nonetheless, both science and technology offer additional avenues for employment; nations that have high employment rates, or close to that, are the ones which are technologically advanced (Greenberg, Schachterle 21). While we discard our traditions, we need to make the best out of technology to enable talented people employ their best in literature. After all, culture and literature illustrate the cultivation of a human being’s inner nature. Literature expresses feelings, thoughts and ambitions that are deeply rooted in a person. On the other hand, technology has other fields and ends to explore. While literature may initially seem like being out of place in an era of technology, technologists and scientists do not trespass in to the field of literature (McMullan 34). Hence, no reason exists as why literature and technology should not flourish side by side. A society characterized with higher technological advancements can become rich in literature too. For instance, the USA which is the most industrially advanced, with the mightiest military power in the world also produces rich literature (37). Technology leads to economic prosperity and affluence which in turn promotes great literature and masterpieces. Technology creates artificial intelligence in the form of computers that can think, read, interpret, translate and give decisions with astonishing accuracy and speed. However, even the best in sophisticated technological advances cannot produce literature by themselves; poetry, plays, prose, stories and novels do. Essentially, technology can be seen as providing an invaluable assistance to literature since they enable creation of leisure by introducing both time and labor saving gadgets which eliminate drudgery and duplication of effort (Guerin 17). In the light of this, the notion of a contradiction between literature and technology is not well founded. Frederick Seidel (as cited by Guerin 21) expressed his experience with computers where he admitted that they got him hooked then and there. What got him hooked was the way one could instantly manipulate the stanza’s shape and the length of the line. Writing through technological devices has affected research structure and editing. It has also impacted on order and rhythm. When it is easier to cut and paste, and create multiple drafts instead of having to type afresh each time, there is really no reason for sloppiness. The order offered by technology has made saving, indexing copying and pasting all essential parts of putting together a modern piece of fiction. Writing with modern word processors has not only provided a new organization to structuring sentences, but it has also provided flexibility whereby paragraphs can be flipped and switched with ease. In as much as most writers still use paper at some point, the act of crossing-out and underlining sentences is fading out in favor of digital highlights and tracked changes. In Civilization and its Discontents, Sigmund Freud (as cited in Antman 9) compares technology to an amputation, whereby the tools created by man have replaced his limbs a...