Critical Thinking: Activity 2

Based on the material you just reviewed, name one skill that you think society has lost with the
emergence of writing and one skill you think society has gained. Justify your answer using Ong,
Levi-Strauss, and the video.

After reviewing the content provided, I have come to realize that there are quite a few downfalls
that came from the emergence of writing, along with the benefits. One skill I think that society
lost as writing became prevelent is the interpretation of the intention of words. When a society is
entirely oral, there is clear intention behind every word. The meaning of each word is controlled
by direct semantic ratification; habits, gestures, vocal inflection, expression, setting, etc (Ong,
Differences Between Oral and Literary, viii). Adding to this, it is often harder to insert a genuine
tone within writing. Oftentimes writing can come across as formal and disengaged, whereas with
oral communication, because one can’t recite from a script, the words will always be perceived
with full emotion and intention. There is an idea that the only great innovation that is solely due
to writing is architecture (Levi-Strauss, Functions of Writing, paragraph 3), which further
enforces the idea that writing is naturally less genuine and emotion-filled than oral
communication. On the other hand, I do still believe that the emergence of writing has brought
many essential qualities to our society. One skill I believe our world has gained with writing is
the ability to be more objective. In oral culture you were never taught to be objective, there
weren’t many known perspectives to each story. There was no way to look anything up, and so,
you heard what you were told, and you stood behind it (Ong, Oral Cultures and Early Writing,
7:57). When writing emerged, as people were able to record their conversations and ideas,
people began to see multiple perspectives, which introduced them to becoming inherently
objective (Ong, Oral Cultures and Early Writing, 5:13). Furthermore, as new sides to each
conversation came about, it also eliminated a fair amount of bias. As people started talking
more, new facts could come to light. After reviewing the material provided, I believe that society
has both lost and gained skills within our ability to communicate with each other, and that each
perspective touches on incredibly important subjects within our society.

Cited Sources

Levi-Strauss on the Functions of Writing. (n.d.). Retrieved September 06, 2020, from
https://newlearningonline.com/literacies/chapter-1/levi-strauss-on-the-functions-of-writing

Ong, W. (n.d.). Ong on the Differences between Orality and Literacy. Retrieved September
06, 2020, from
https://newlearningonline.com/literacies/chapter-1/ong-on-the-differences-between-orality-
and-literacy

Ong, W. (2014, September 8). Walter Ong—Oral cultures and early writing. Retrieved
September 6, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvF30zFImuo