James Marriott on the Post-Literate Society

Jonathan Rose's "The Intellectual Life of the British Working Classes" is a groundbreaking work of social history that explores the surprising extent of literacy and intellectual engagement among working-class people in Britain. Rose challenges traditional assumptions about working-class culture, revealing a rich and vibrant intellectual life that often went unnoticed by historians. The book examines the various ways in which working-class people accessed and engaged with literature, ideas, and knowledge, highlighting the importance of self-education, community learning, and the role of institutions like libraries and workingmen's clubs. Rose's work offers a compelling counter-narrative to the often-negative stereotypes associated with working-class culture, demonstrating the intellectual vitality and resilience of ordinary people.

In 'The Attention Merchants', Tim Wu explores the history and impact of the industries that feed on human attention. Starting from the 19th century with Benjamin Day's penny newspapers, Wu traces the evolution of advertising through various media, including radio, television, and the internet. He argues that the basic business model of 'attention merchants' has remained constant: offering free diversion in exchange for moments of attention, which are then sold to advertisers. The book also examines the societal and psychological effects of this attention economy and the various revolts against it.

In 'Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology', Neil Postman argues that modern society has transitioned into a 'technopoly', where technology is not just a tool but the central organizing principle of culture. Postman contends that this shift has radical consequences for politics, art, education, intelligence, and truth. He describes how technology has become the primary source of moral authority, leading to a culture that values efficiency and technical calculation over human judgment. The book critiques the pervasive influence of technology on all aspects of life, highlighting issues such as the reduction of truth to data, the dominance of experts in all fields, and the erosion of traditional moral and cultural frameworks.

Walter Ong's "Orality and Literacy" explores the profound influence of oral and written communication on thought and culture. Ong argues that the shift from oral to literate cultures fundamentally reshaped human consciousness, impacting memory, perception, and the very structure of thought. He contrasts the characteristics of oral cultures, emphasizing their communal nature and reliance on memory, with the individualistic and analytical tendencies fostered by literacy. The book examines how different modes of communication shape our understanding of the world and ourselves. Ong's work has had a lasting impact on fields such as rhetoric, anthropology, and media studies, influencing scholars like Marshall McLuhan. His insights continue to be relevant in understanding the impact of new technologies on human cognition and social interaction.

Eric Havelock's "Preface to Plato" is a seminal work in classical scholarship that explores the transition from oral to literate culture in ancient Greece. Havelock argues that the shift from an oral tradition, where knowledge was transmitted through poetry and performance, to a literate one, based on written texts, profoundly altered the way people thought and organized their societies. The book examines the impact of this change on various aspects of Greek life, including politics, philosophy, and the development of Western thought. Havelock's analysis emphasizes the role of literacy in shaping individual consciousness and the structure of knowledge itself. His work has had a lasting influence on the study of classical antiquity and the understanding of the relationship between language, culture, and technology.