Literacy in the Modern Word

It’s difficult to imagine a world in which texts weren’t readily available. Today, individuals existing in western society are introduced to books and the written word at a young age. Modern Western society print culture allows for the widespread circulation of knowledge. New advances in technology have created a notably different way in which texts can be examined, and understanding the way in which people obtain literature is important when investigating topics such as literacy rates and knowledge measurements.

According to Philippe Aries one of the most important developments of the modern era was the advent of written culture. It is my opinion that it is not just one of the most important development of the modern era but the most important development of the modern era. Proof lies in the words. Since the first books were written, collected, and finally marketed, education for normal civilians has become far more accessible. No longer is a proper education reserved for the powerful and wealthy.

Higher education rates should result in a more productive society, but in reality this notion seems to fall short. Education through the print medium may nurture knowledge, but it also can foster laziness and lofty notion of superiority. The increasing availability of printed works throughout time has transformed the lower classes from subordinate serfs to members of an educated society in which knowledge is power.

The modern day western world is completely reliant on the use and understanding of the written word. Everywhere one may go in this society they will be confronted with words and symbols that are necessary to function in society. The need for a basic understanding of the sequence of symbols that represent objects and actions is crucial to success. Globalization and a flourishing Internet culture have also contributed for the need to be literate. E-commerce has escalated into huge marketplace with vast potential for growth. The Internet also provides a place for independent writers, scholars, and all sorts of readers. Print culture has transformed from a slight growth and has metastasized into it’s own being.

Who is Who's Master?

My shadow has me on a leash-like a dog-
It orders me to sit-and I roll over.
My choke chain tightens-shame-light asphyxiation.
Who is who’s master?-inverse control-
Hiding in handcuffed hell I scream for freedom-
I demand it.
The keys are in my pocket.
I unlock my shackles, discard my leash,
and now my shadow follows me.

Introductions

Hello fellow web browsers. Being my first blog entry I thought I’d introduce myself. My name is Ian James Payson, I’m 24 years old and I’m a Leo. I’m a senior at Wayne State University and hope to graduate this year with a BA in English. I enjoy fencing, playing guitar, and writing.

I am intrinsically a poet and being as such I am usually inclined to write poetry. My artistic desire drives me to produce, as I would like to think, small works of art which fall like tiny grains of sand in the hourglass of time. I believe that words can be beautiful and inspiring, but can also be rude and hurtful. From this arises the paradox of words. Words are but symbols for objects and actions, yet contain so much power. Words tell stories which preserve historical and cultural aspects of the time the story was composed. My writing is derived more form the aesthetic beauty of words than arbitrary context. My focus is to create compositions that are pleasing to people’s poetic palate and intellectually intriguing. However, poetry is becoming a lost art. Even with the vast opportunities the internet provides for both author and reader, the people of the modern day just don’t have time. They’re too busy browsing Ikea, stalking people on Facebook, and falling victim to the commercialism of the internet. The toiling of the modern poet gets overlooked and the status of the poet in society has sunk to new lows. Mainstream society almost rejects the fundamental idea of the poet, as they turn to film stars and pop icons. The closest thing to revered poet in the public’s eye is the rock star.

This brings me to the idea of culture being passed down through oral story telling. The modern day rock song can be compared to the oral tradition of story telling. Poetic elements are used in both to aid the memory in the retelling process, and citizens gather around performances for entertainment. They also have a similar way of representing culture. Just like slave tales and peasant stories represent the cultures of two different illiterate sects of society, pop music mirrors pop culture. It doesn’t take a genius to recognize the significance these oral traditions have on society. One fact that does frighten me, however, is the insatiable commercialism that has found its way into music, as well as print culture. The art is being sucked out of writing. So, in attempt to save the lost art of poetry I am going to periodically post a poem or two. Please let me know what you think and if you could provide some constructive feedback that’d be great.