Scribner’s article “Literacy in Three Metaphors” was a good insightful article that helps broaden the full understanding of literacy. She explains so many different possibilities that can go with literacy and expands literacy far beyond just reading and writing. Once I read this I was very pleased because it tied into the conversation my group had in class about “America the Illiterate”. While we were discussing the article we brought up the point of what does it mean to be “illiterate” and how can someone decide whether all the knowledge someone has is enough to literate or illiterate. Just as Scribner’s article brought up it goes much deeper than just simple reading and writing to be literate. If someone holds a steady job, supports a family, and has no trouble communicating in daily life but never graduated high school make them illiterate? I hope the clear answer is no… Everybody lives different lives with completely different personalities so we cannot expect everyone to make the “traditional” journey through high school then on to college, it would be pointless for many people who might not pursue a career not requires a degree or a job that would not benefit from any learning past middle school. We live in America so we can the freedom to choose what path we want to take in life. I do not live in America so I can be turned into some controlled genius that knows every fact in the world and is perfect. We are all born with flaws for a reason, and I think it is to make life more enjoyable and worth living; because in a perfect world what would be the point or next benchmark to strive for. I could care less if I pay someone to sharpen my ski edges and wax my bases is “illiterate” as long as the job gets done. People just need to quit bitching at every change that is taking place, cars, Internet, cell phones, iPods, or anything new that is helping evolve man kind. We never stay the same and never will but some people just can’t wrap their minds around that idea. And if we evolve for worse or better there’s no way of knowing until you try it. I can’t wait until some new technology comes out and people can start writing about how that is going to take over the world. Scribner gives a good much broader sense of literacy that makes much more sense. Also that we have been writing more now than ever because of these new facets of technology, and at this point who knows whether it will be good or bad for man in the long run since our writing seems less in depth but shit we have to give it a shot and who knows maybe we have found a quicker, easier, less dense, and methodical way of learning that can help clear space in our minds for information we need as we continue moving through our lives. I guess what I’m trying to say is whether America is illiterate or not it’s their God given right to choose to be that way and people who are complaining about this should realize the world is changing and these new technologies create huge amounts of jobs, and if you don’t like them then don’t use them and quit complaining!
I completely agree!
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