The Phaedrus analyzes two of civilization's most basic forms of communication, rhetoric and writing. Plato find faults with both forms. His distrust of persuasive argument stems from his belief that the rhetorician must know the subject down to it indivisible form. That pursuit of knowledge transforms the person from rhetorician into a philosopher. Rhetoric moves away from perfect forms because persuasive abilities are more important than the truth. Plato further argues that writing is a poor substitute for face to face discourse. Without the author present there is no way to gain further explanation, or expound on ideas, also there is danger of those ideas being easily misinterpreted. The written word cannot be catered to the specific needs of the reader in the way a teacher can mold a lesson for a student. He compares it to a painting, while admirable for its endeavor, it cannot achieve all that its trying to represent. Its is very interesting is that so many contemporary conversations still examined these ideas.
Sassure's Course in General Linguistics is an analysis of the structure of language or a term he creates "semitiocs". All language is relational and words are more about what they are not rather than what they are. Bit is bit, because it is not but, bat, or bet. Only because of this relational framework are we able to talk of things out of our immediate presence, or that are not in the present. A person can talk about the lamp in the other room with out having to physically show it. (of course, then it wouldn't be in the other room....) Language is a "communal contract" created by the community. Saussure breaks down language into signs. A sign is made up of the signified and the signifier. The signified is the concept and the signifier is the "sound image" associated with the concept. Saussure is not interested in the history of words, but language as a social structure.
Social media offers a new way to look at Suassure's theories in action. As social media creates new communities, a new language is formed. The internet meme is one example of this. Internet memes often have a complex history that is in some ways irrelevant. What is relevant is the agreed-upon meaning. When a person is rick-rolled the meaning is clear yet to lay it out in exact terms is difficult. The other interesting aspect of Rick-rolling in the context of Saussure is that it is playing with the concept of Signified/Signifier. The mix of the "subject" with the "rick" content creates a sign (rick-rolled.) Saussure's theories are in action as we daily. We are not actively creating language, but it is happens over time. However we are more aware of this phenomenon and in sites like Know Your Meme are even tracking the newest results. Another point that Saussure makes about language is that it takes time to assimilate language and it happens gradually. We are all at different levels in assimilating the new language created by social media, and just as in traditional language it seems much easier to learn when you are young.
In the world of social media writing takes on new characteristics. The author can be engaged and, if willing, offer further explanation. Conversations do not require face to face interaction, but immediate dialog can occur between to parties. Larger communities are created and the discussion can span continents. Revolutions are chronicled in real time by the participants. In an article in WIRED Clive Thompson points to the Stanford Study of Writing. It finds that while pundits may moan that technology is making us illiterate, the internet and social media are in fact making us more literate. He quotes Andrea Lunsford who says, "I think we're in the midst of a literacy revolution the likes of which we haven't seen since Greek civilization." . While these features in some way refute Platonic arguments against writing, there are new issues that reinforce the pitfalls of the written word. Debate and discourse are encouraged on blogs, and social networking sites. New ideas are discussed and the world can chime in on the debate, however they often devolve into flame wars. So much so that most popular sites must police the contents of discussions and other such as D Magazine's Frontburner have removed comments altogether. (Because of its apparent conservative leanings its really no surprise.) Irresponsible postings have caused job terminations, and in one case, suicide. Individuals can anonymously impart opinions and ideas, without having to to accept responsibility for them. Because of new technologies, lies can spread farther and faster. And, its much more difficult to retract them. It all goes back to an essential truth of technology, be it rhetoric and writing in ancient Greece, or social networking today. The intent of the users determines the form, and "goodness" of the technology.
Social media offers a new way to look at Suassure's theories in action. As social media creates new communities, a new language is formed. The internet meme is one example of this. Internet memes often have a complex history that is in some ways irrelevant. What is relevant is the agreed-upon meaning. When a person is rick-rolled the meaning is clear yet to lay it out in exact terms is difficult. The other interesting aspect of Rick-rolling in the context of Saussure is that it is playing with the concept of Signified/Signifier. The mix of the "subject" with the "rick" content creates a sign (rick-rolled.) Saussure's theories are in action as we daily. We are not actively creating language, but it is happens over time. However we are more aware of this phenomenon and in sites like Know Your Meme are even tracking the newest results. Another point that Saussure makes about language is that it takes time to assimilate language and it happens gradually. We are all at different levels in assimilating the new language created by social media, and just as in traditional language it seems much easier to learn when you are young.
