Writing is a form of communication
that enhances the perseverance of information. It is a tool unique to humans
that allows for us to evolve artificially, at an exponentially faster rate than
other animals. Writing is what allows us to record specific information using a
set of symbols and guidelines. The ability to add detail is what differentiates
cuneiform from something like a cave painting, because images and illustrations
often require written labels to solidify their origin or intent. A good example
of this might be a gallery: the art is the main attraction, but the plaques
next to the pieces are integral to the experience (at least until you can identify
work by Basquiat without reading).
Additionally, writing does what
orality cannot because it vastly increases scope of discussion. Ancient technophobes
thought that writing ideas down killed them, because books can’t expand upon
themselves or give a rebuttal. What they failed to realize was that time is the
real limitation, not writing. The discussion can only go in a straight line,
but time relative to oral societies is much more daunting if you want to
preserve your culture. Ultimately, I think writing makes us decay slower by putting
our ideas in a place where mortality can’t get to them quite as easily.
Key Terms:
Temporal – Our physical form wastes away quickly, but
writing can last millennia (who knows, maybe even longer, but we’ll never find
out) if treated properly. Writing defies time, while still being vulnerable to
its disintegrative forces.
Specific – Details are what allows the form of an idea to
take shape, so that others can comprehend it. Writing combines specificity with
longevity.
Evolving – The way humans approach writing is constantly
changing, while still following the same general principles.
Cyclical – Even as writing rapidly changes, it also is bound
to come full circle in certain respects. The popularization of emojis is also a
return to writing systems that used images to directly represent things.
Human – All animals communicate, but writing is also a means
of representing our truest selves. Our perspective is limited by the terms we
have and vice-versa, therefore writing is a physical (and now digital)
manifestation of our experience.
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