Summary Of In Praise Of A Snail's Pace By Ellen Goodman Full Essay

In a world that has been overtaken by technological innovations, it is no surprise that the conventional way of communicating has suddenly become outdated and rejected. With the speed of light, a lot can easily get done; many people across the globe now conveniently interact with one another through instant messaging, text messaging, email, and other faster means of communication. Nonetheless, there are people who still reckon with the hoary method of communicating. In her essay “In Praise of a Snail’s Pace”, Ellen Goodman, the author, depicts a picture of a system that has derailed from the old and decent way of doing things into a “world of hyperactive technology” (52). This transition has captivated the majority of people into neglecting the slow but graceful way of living in general. Goodman explains the negative impact which technology, especially the internet, is having on communications, families, businesses, relationships, and the society at large. She calls it “continual partial attention” (52). The author’s rhetorical is not about doing things at the pace of a snail; rather it is about doing certain things at the right pace while paying proper attention to detail. The author convincingly

establishes her argument as she combines imagery, logic and figurative expression; she also cites different real life experiences to alert readers of the dangers of over independence on technology and the need to slow down.
Communication is not just a way to reach out to people; it is a way for people to express ideas, beliefs, emotions, attitudes, affection, ideas and a lot of other important things. Unfortunately, it seems that communication has lost its beauty through technology; technology has suddenly taken away the fundamental characteristics of effective communication. This is simply because technology now prevents people from paying attention to some important things in their lives. The internet, for instance, does not allow for better communication anymore – people now pay little or no attention to one another; which in Goodman’s word is “lack of full attention” (53). The majority is now under the influence of technology. Forgetting that, to preserve certain things, they must be done slowly. According to Goodman, “I would no more send an e-condolence, than a thank you or an e-wedding” she believes that “it would be like serving Thanksgiving dinner at a fast-food restaurant”(52). This goes to show from Goodman’s point of view, that some situations are just too sensitive and important, and trying to use speed through technology, to carry out such situations would only diminish their beauty and value. Goodman uses a good analogy (serving thanksgiving dinner at a fast food restaurant) to educate readers understand that technology cannot replace the slow but harmonious face-to-face style of communication, which can create an everlasting emotional bond.
To further substantiate her argument, Goodman defines the present world as “connected and yet fractured” (52). But how can something be connected and yet fractured? The author uses paradox as a figurative expression to create a form of curiosity in the minds of readers. Goodman, however, expounds that, although, technology seems to create expansion and easiness in everything, but the result only brings misery. In other words, things seem good outwardly, but very rotten on the inside. Most people seem to have been engulfed by the easiness of technology; therefore, do not even pay attention to anything anymore. Goodman did not stop at this; she strengthens her stance by referring to Linda stone - who describes the present generation as an “era of continuous partial attention” (Goodman 53). Goodman here, attempts to use ethos (a credible source), to boost her argument by referencing an expert in the technology field. But according to the author, there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Some are already “freeing themselves from the tyranny of the reply button” (53). Organizations are now setting aside days that would not involve the usage of internet. More people are now conscious of the excess speed in their daily activities and are looking for ways to “slow down” (53). Even the author is not left out “I come here…..to stop hurrying” “my island is no Brigadoon” (Goodman 53). Again the author uses good imagery to describe the post office as an “island” where she practically visits to ease out.
Furthermore, according to Goodman, the disadvantages of technology are fast outweighing its benefits; teenagers are the most culpable. Teenagers have formed the habit of doing multiple activities at a time, thereby not paying full attention to any. From a personal point of view, to corroborate the author's analogy; a female teenager once got killed by a speeding car, just because she failed to look up as she was completely engrossed with her phone. Even adults are not excluded- Goodman asserts that “adults too live with all systems go, interrupted and distracted, scanning everything, multi-technological tasking…..” (Goodman 52). The fun and thrills that used to be the bedrock of a romantic relationship are no longer there; lovers cannot even slow down to write correct grammar during communication with one another. Everybody wants to do it as fast as possible, all under the powerful influence of technology; in Goodman’s words, “all the speed in the internet cannot hurry the healing of a friend’s loss” (53). The author combines appeals to logic and emotion to strengthen her argument.
Goodman is not the only one who shares this notion. Prior to her “snail mail” analysis, she shares the dilemma of a friend who is having a problem communicating with her son. Although, mother and son have always had consistent communication through text messaging, phone calls and e-mail. But on this particular occasion, she has something of greater importance to pass across. However, she is afraid that writing an e-mail “would elicit a reply that says:” I M GR8” (52). Goodman’s friend wanted something more connected than just a short response with six letters, she needs full attention from her son; but she fears that attention may never become a reality if she dares use the internet to write her son. In the end, the author’s friend opts for “a letter, a pen on paper, and a stamp on envelope” (Goodman 52). In other words, a lot of things on the internet have the tendency to distract the boy’s attention, thereby preventing him from giving absolute attention to his mother. To add to this, a lot of teenagers do exactly the same thing. The author adds, “Paying attention briefly is as impossible as painting a landscape from a speeding car” (53), “I would no longer send an e-condolence than an e-thank you or an e-wedding invitation” (Goodman 52). The author affirms here that, for some things to retain their value and meaning, they must pass through a slow natural process. Sending a condolence message through e-mail only shows insensitivity on the part of the sender.
Prior to her experience, Goodman had gone to the post office to send a message to a bereaved woman, she reasons, “I could have sent these words far more efficiently through e-mail than through this snail mail” (52), but she strongly believes that whatever that is worth doing at all is worth doing well; a mail that is handwritten, signed and mailed through a regular mail portrays emotional connectedness and originality.

Although, the internet is a faster alternative, it destroys the purpose; going by different servers or mediums which the letter might have passed through before getting to the recipient- it diminishes its worth. According to Goodman, “I am among those who still believe that sympathy is diluted by two-thirds when it arrives over the internet transom”.

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In conclusion, despite its negative side, technology still plays a vital role in the present world - technology to a large extent has helped shaped the world into a global village. In fact, the advent of the internet is one of the greatest inventions of the twenty-first century. Ellen Goodman’s “In praise of Snail’s Pace” is a well-analyzed rhetoric that exposes the decadence of over indulgence in technology. The author is not totally against technology; instead she claims that technology creates a lot of distractions and disconnections. Although, technology brings speed and convenience, it eliminates the most important ingredient of a good communication which is “hearing what is not said”. Unfortunately, speed prevents many from hearing what is being said, thereby, making it almost impossible understanding what is not said- natural and sensitive things cannot be accomplished in a hurry; otherwise the purpose for which they are meant for may be destroyed. Although, some readers may disagree with Goodman’s point of view, her argument speaks reality- it is a phenomenon that is ongoing. The author’s choice of words, the simplicity of ideas, imagery, figurative expression and logic make the essay something to ponder about.