Jugement Of Thamus

Every technology is both a burden and a blessing; not either-or, except this-and-that. (Postman) The preceding quote by Neil Postman, author of the article The Judgment of Thamus, is a perfect guinea pig of the issues with new up-and-coming technologies. It is perfect because all technologies have clear benefits which make them so appealing to the masses; who wouldnt exigency to turn off a light left on in their house via cell phone, and no one complains nearly how convenient it is to communicate with someone overseas instantaneously via gossip or email. What is not obvious, however, are the burdens associated with technology. Historically these burdens get disconnected among the benefits, and Postman brings this to light when writing, it is a certainty that radical technologies make water new definitions of old terms, and that this process takes place without our being amply conscious of it. (Postman) Creating new definitions isnt a bad thing, but doing so without noticing generates new issues.
The article The Judgment of Thamus begins with Platos bosh of Thamus, the king of a great city of Upper Egypt, who is cognize for his wisdom and makes a series of remarks regarding Theuths proposed inventions.



Theuth is the inventor of number, calculation, geometry, and uranology to name a few; and the current topic surrounded by he and Thamus is writing. Theuth claims that writing is a sure receipt for repositing and wisdom, but Thamus shares his own wisdom and skepticism. He states, What you have discovered is a receipt for recollection, not for memory. And with regards to wisdom, Thamus says they will receive a quantity of information without proper instruction, and in consequence be thought very knowledgeable when they are for the most fail quite ignorant. (Postman) These are harsh words for an invention as influential as writing, one that has had obvious positive effect throughout history. The point to take home from this argument is that as powerful a tool as writing is...If you require to get a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay



If you want to get a full essay, wisit our page: write my essay .