Maybe I'm just old-fashioned. A Luddite even. Or maybe I'm too self-conscious of my Third World status. But I do lament the passing of the culture of the book. Hardison's claim that this culture is being superseded by other, more complicated(read: technological ?) forms is now familiar. It is a convincing one, to be sure. Gains: increased democratization. Losses? I'm not sure yet. My issues have to do with what is assumed by the claim. Will these cultures be dominated by Enlish-speaking/writing cultures? Will access be as open as supposed? Will these spaces of open discourse be dominated by coroprate culture? And what's wrong with contemplative, critical spaces for reading and writing.
Am undecided. Hopeful but warry.
1 comment:
I really like what you are saying here. I identify with the so-called nostalgia, but also am intrigued by what you say concerning the domination of English-speaking/writing cultures. But...wasn't that the case with the traditional book because of the structure of publishing and education.
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