Howard Gardner Summary And Analysis

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Daniel Argueta Period 6 08/30/13 Gardner Summary and Analysis Howard Gardner argues that, in the debate over technological advancement and declining literacies, we might soon be entering a new era of literacy that we cannot now envision due to technologies yet to be invented. Literacy is a concern for some experts but others believe that the Internet is just a stepping stone to a greater age of literacy. According to the doomsayers computers are extinguishing literacy. For instance: low reading scores, less leisure reading time, and half the adult population reading no books in a year support the doomsayers’ claims. However, optimists believe that the Internet will bring in a new culture of words. A third prospect is flouted: Literacy…show more content…
Gardner inaugurates his article by presenting the argument of literacy being in decline or on the rise in the form of a question: “What will happen to reading and writing in our time?” (Gardner, para. 1). Then, he begins to address issues that support the decline of literacy. Gardner then introduces the second argument that the Internet is “ushering in a new, vibrant participatory culture of words.” (Gardner, para. 2). Both arguments state valid points and both will interest a number of people to support one or the other. At first one might make an inclination towards one of the two arguments, but might one think that these two ideas don’t represent their point of view on the matter? Consequently, Gardner suggests a third possibility: “Literacy – or an ensemble of literacies – will continue to thrive, but in forms and formats we can’t yet envision” (Gardner, para. 3). Throughout human history technology has helped in our evolution as a species from the invention of the wheel in pre-historic times, to the creation of the advanced computers we take for granted today. But as far as literacies are concerned we made a marvelous transition 5,000 years ago from pictorial marks to significant marks that began to capture sounds and ultimately led to the alphabetical system of writing we employ today. Furthermore, Gardner mentions Plato’s fear that written language would destabilize man’s capabilities to memorize, but based on how history transpired, Plato’s fears were proven to be but uncertainties on a matter that was novel to the society of that era which may be similar to the fear we have on “Googling.” History tends to repeat itself but only time well tell if it will yield similar results. The invention of the printing press during the 15th century was an enhancement in the production and convenience of books to the general populace. Perhaps a new form of publication will make reading

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