Dennis Baron To Pencils Summary

There has been countless teaching methods in the history of writing and the various aspects that influenced the development of writing technologies. There are also numerous publications, but only a few captures the dynamic effects of the development of writing techniques more pristinely and deliberately than Dennis Baron’s “From Pencils to Pixels.” In the book From Pencils to Pixels: The Stages of Literacy Technologies (1999). Baron gives a detailed explanation of the development of literacy technologies and the particular constructive and deconstructive outcomes of these advancements in the art of writing throughout history. Moreover, the article seems to suggest that Baron shrugs technology and thinks it will not fundamentally change the shape or nature of writing.

Dennis Baron through his article, acknowledge that literacy technologies will inevitably change, the fundamentals/nature of writing will relatively remain the same. I agree with this statement for

Baron states that at first, the pencil was widely unpopular and ink was preferred since pencils were far too expensive. After its cost went down, many adopted pencil use, regardless of the shortcomings such as its text being erasable. Many also felt that pencil written text could easily be forged or rubbed off. Similarly, Baron also quoted that computer first started as a numerical calculator and when it was introduced to writing most people thought it was far too complicated and also way too expensive. Over time, all its functions were streamlined for daily life and its cost significantly reduced, and its popularity as a literary tool grew immensely. Likewise, the computer was rocked by the same concerns that rocked literary technologies before it; for instance, facilitating lax accuracy and