People used to write, now they blog/email
Upon listening to the Audio books on John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, I am somewhat struck back by how much time people used to use towards correspondance with others. I believe this is becoming a lost art, even with email and blogging.
It used to be once upon a time, not long ago, where people would write each other letters on all varieties of subject. Now adays it seems that people just don't have time do it like that anymore or at least I do not seem to have the time. It seems like people had all the time in the world to read and write as well as just live. With modern society (US suburbia anyways) it appears that we have lost this art and it's elegance! It just seems like people used to have so much time to themselves to just enjoy life verse rushing around from one thing to another.
I used to write letters when I was in the US Navy and desired contact with family and friends and I obtained much enjoyment ouf of the letters I used to write. Perhaps I will pick this up again and stike up some conversations with others, who don't use email, such as my two grandmothers.
Is it that actually writing a letter verse email has more emotion to it and therefore is more personal than email? I know I have done it and seen it done, where email is misconstrued as to what an email had meant. Does this happen in letter writing as well? In writing a letter I believe also that one improves the usage of language and ability to write. There are many examples of bad writing in email and various electronic methods of communication, which might disappear if you had to write it on paper.
I suppose blogging, email lists and forum posting is more interactive, but I would have to say it is much less articulate. I guess I am straying, but it seems that there is a need for a revival of English as a written topic and the ability of one to write in the English language. I hated English in High School and it only became somewhat agreeable to me in College (I have an engineering degree, so math is me.) Since listening to these Audio Books and reading a considerable amount more literature since, I believe I am finally coming to appreaciate the elogance of the written word!