From Pencils to Pixels

The main argument of this text is that the technology and the computer has changed the way we read and write and therefore has altered literacy.  We must adjust to the new technological advances and society as it develops new things.  

Literacy, as defined in this article, is someone’s ability to be technologically in tune with modern advancements in society.  It is an implicit definition of literacy.
The author talks about what he believes is the gateway to literacy, which is technology and in particular the computer. I fully agree with this statement, because as we evolve more and more technology is becoming prevalent in our everyday lives. If we do not take the time to learn how to work and understand these advances, we will become the few who can not evolve with the world as it does. Also, the computer provides us massive amounts of information with the click of a button and therefore we can learn more faster.
The pencil is technology because it allows us to create ideas, stories, plans, etc. in a visual image which helps us to organize our thoughts and also share these thoughts with others.
Plato disliked writing/written word because he thought that it took something away from us. He believed that it weakened us because it took away oral conversation and and the exchanging of ideas.
Thoreau believed that pencil technology was the best because he thought that other technologies were just an illusion and not actual hard evidence of ideas.
The telephone combined both talking and writing and made it easier for people to communicate with one another. People's tones of voice could be more easily recognized and understood but it did not express facial expressions and gestures which also changed the way we communicate.