Post 2: Scribner

“Since social literacy practices vary in time and space what qualifies as individual literacy varies with them. At one time, ability to write one’s name was a hallmark of literacy…Literacy has neither static nor a universal essence” (Scribner 14).

The entire idea of literacy is neither static nor universal. This idea resonates with our generation especially, because during the course of our lives the digital world has revolutionized what it means to be literate. Abbreviations have become words (lol, omg, GB, USB) and applications like Skype have become prevalent in the business world.

I feel like all this is pretty obvious, but I would like to present another idea. I think it could be argued that literacy is heading towards symbols rather than words (going back in time?) Newer technology seems to always be getting sleeker and more minimal (in the style of Steve Jobs). As a Mac user, the ones that come to mind are the command, eject, and F1-12 keys. The Apple aesthetic tends to rely on pictures rather than words, but these new symbols of literacy span all computer brands. Power, USB, Bluetooth, wi-fi, whether on the exterior of the product on the screen, technology seems to be streamlining its user manuals to create a new form of literacy that doesn’t rely on what language you speak. I think that is why some (let’s get real, most) adults from previous generations are “technologically challenged.” While the interface seems so simple to us, this shift in literacy makes the learning curve much steeper for those who thought they had already learned what it means to be literate in this world.