In New Media and Literacy, J. D. Applen explores how digital technology has reshaped the world of literacy, expanding it beyond traditional reading and writing. Traditional print texts, Applen argues, have “no pictures; no color; no strict order of left to right then down the line; no type of changes; interaction; no revision.” This makes the reader feel that the writer’s meaning is fixed and not open to any interaction. Digital technology, however, challenges this traditional view by making reading and writing more dynamic and interactive. The rise of new media has added layers of complexity to how we engage with texts.
The complexity writers face today is exemplified in forums where people can share their thoughts on a piece they’ve read. For example, let’s say I wrote something I was extremely proud of, and it became a #1 New York Times bestseller. Despite the success, there would still be people dissatisfied with the book. People are rarely fully satisfied; there will always be critiques, and opinions are constantly shifting. What’s more concerning is that some individuals take these opinions to extreme measures. For instance, some may resort to tactics like DDOS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks, Swatting, or even death threats due to their intense emotional reactions to a story. This level of passion, while understandable, often leads to troubling consequences for writers in the digital age.
In conclusion, digital technology’s impact on literacy has enriched and complicated the way we engage with texts. While traditional print texts were static and unchangeable. New media allows for a dynamic and interactive experience that invites readers to participate actively in the meaning-making process.
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