Portfolio: Final Exam: Frame 1

From Geoffrey Meredith, “The Demise of Writing” I understood that illiteracy is a big issue right now. I think that computer programs such as Spell Check are completely disabling our human ability to learn. Meredith believes that the Spell Check and similar programs are useful to the community. “And clearly these functions are needed.” Meredith says. In my opinion, these functions are not needed because people are becoming dependent on them. I am becoming reliant myself. But there are ways to fix the problem from going any further.

Unfortunately, technology has changed the way people work. Everything is done on computers. Everyday I see examples of people becoming dependent on computers. The biggest example I have come across is me. I have found myself typing and not knowing how to spell a word and just looking at the spell check to fix it for me. Consequently, writing something on paper has become a difficult task for me. I worry about whether I’m spelling words right or not, and even when I should be using a comma. Sadly, I have to admit that I have become dependent on computers. It is so easy just to guess and then right away know if you’re right. It is nearly impossible to make spelling errors and grammatical mistakes in today’s world.

Programs like Spell Check are crippling us. We shouldn’t need computers to tell us how to write. If this trend continues, no one will know how to write and will just be dependent on computers for the answers to everything. Following the trend even further, I predict that in the near future, people won’t have to write at all. Computers will take over everything that has to do with writing while people become lazy and illiterate completely.

An answer to the problem of dependency on computers is, in my mind, simple. To fight back against illiteracy, computer programs should be taken out of schools. “[O]ne-fifth of the population is functionally illiterate” States Meredith. This quote shows that kids are learning that it’s ok to just let the computer tell them what they’re doing wrong. Though kids definitely should learn to type to keep up with technology, they shouldn’t have to do it with the answers right in front of them. They should at least learn how to spell on their own. By taking Spell Check off the computers in elementary schools, middle schools, and even high schools, kids will be forced to learn how to write without the help of computers.

Even though it may seem that computers are helping people with their writing, they are doing the opposite. Computers are making people completely dependent on technology. I am a good example of that because I know I have become dependent. Consequences that will occur from this are people becoming completely illiterate and dependent on computers and not being able to write at all. Simply by taking Spell Check programs off school computers, I think it is possible to reverse the scary thought of everyone becoming illiterate and reliant on technology and computers.