History teaches us that people will always look for shortcuts to make things easier, which explains why technology is so prominent in our everyday lives. Does this mean we will forget how to write by hand in the future?

A survey in Britain revealed that the average time since adults last wrote a longer text by hand was 41 days. Other studies have found that people increasingly resort to abbreviations when writing; the omnipresent ‘LOL’ stands testament to this trend. The short forms of words not only make sentences faster to write and shorter, but also add a notion of humor to the situation presented.

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When teenagers and adults alike use all these abbreviations it is more accepted, since their thinking is that they might sound stupid or less ‘cool’ if they said it aloud or in it’s full form. This shows how much urban society has affected the mindset and thinking of our generation. Many schools don’t teach cursive writing anymore, and many students don’t even know what that is. 

The thought of not being able to do something that our ancestors and we have done for ages seems like development into the future to some and a nightmare to others. Our future kin years and years ahead may only be able to speak and perform gestures to a mechanical electronic device. People who don’t know how to use modern technology, to some, are the modern-day illiterates.

The luxury of not having to write down paragraphs and essays and instead just abbreviations is great for people who lead an extremely busy life and don’t have enough time to type out texts. Students have their own priorities, working hard toward academic achievement. Tediously writing out text seems to be getting in the way of reaching our goals fast.

Schools have embraced electronic devices for doing classwork, transmitting homework and even taking exams. Can we really blame the schools, though? All they are trying to do is help students adapt to the life they will be thrust into upon graduation. 

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The decreasing vocabulary of the average child is concerning. If a child spends his time at home on electronic devices, that could be balanced out if he spends equal time in school communicating, writing, reading, jotting down notes and paying attention. But if the use of electronic devices continues at school, when will the child ever take his eyes off the screen?

It's a shame that handwriting is in a general state of decline due to the need for convenience and communication that is clear and quick. Handwriting will always carry a sentimental value, but inevitably makes way when there’s a need for greater efficiency.”

 

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Aarya Sinha is a teenager who loves Greek Mythology and is trying to prove the existence of mermaids. I try not to waste my life re-reading Mortal Instruments and romance novels.

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