Invent your own writing technology project
The first group of readings we are considering this semester discuss the idea that writing is itself a technology, and what and how we write are tied to the technologies/tools we use to write with in the first place. Both of these ideas are sometimes tricky for us to think about nowadays since the basic technologies of writing– pencils, pens, paper, computers, etc.– have become so transparent. The goal of this project is to attempt to make this aspect of writing, what is usually invisible to us, visible.
This writing assignment has two parts. First, write a 20 or fewer word “text” of any type and on any subject that uses “technologies” found around where you live, in “nature,” and/or created by you. Second, write a short essay (about 1500 words, or around 5-6 pages) to explain how you created the first part of this writing experiment, what the first part of the writing experiment exposed (or didn’t) for you about the relationship between writing and technology. Be sure to reference and quote some of the assigned readings on writing and technology in order to support your point and explain your experiences.
Here are some things to think about:
- For the first part of this project, you cannot use any of the modern conveniences of writing for any part of the process whatsoever. This includes any sort of purchased paper, inks, pens, pencils, crayons, typewriters, chalk, paints, brushes, or electronic devices. You also shouldn’t use materials you find around the house that are more or less obvious extensions of common writing technologies. For example, I would encourage you to not to complete your experiment with writing materials like paint, nail polish, white out, cardboard, lumber, etc.
- This also means that you cannot use any of these technologies during any of the steps in your writing process. In other words, while I have no way to really to enforce this, it seems to me that it would more or less be “cheating” to write out a draft of your 20 or so words and then use the “natural” and/or “created” materials to write the final draft of the project. However, you are certainly allowed to make your own writing utensils and materials. To make your writing inventions, use materials found outside (in the yard, in a park, etc.) and/or around the house (the kitchen is often a good source).
- All projects must involve the most basic technology of writing, an alphabet. More specifically, you need to write your project in English (as opposed to some other language or form of representation like pictographs.)
- I’d also encourage you to think about your writing inventions in relation to the writing tools that you are used to using. For example, it seems to me that most writing technologies are permanent, portable, inexpensive, easy to use, etc. Of course, this isn’t always the case– for example, billboards are an excellent writing/communicating technology but are certainly not portable or inexpensive– and I can imagine many interesting and successful invented writing technologies that are not permanent, portable, or easy to use.
- Do not use or create writing utensils or materials that have serious potential for being dangerously flammable, poisonous, toxic, unsafe, or unpleasant (e.g., a variety of bodily fluids). Also, do not create a writing project that causes some sort of permanent damage to property. This is supposed to be a fun writing experiment, not a hazardous one.
- To share your project, you will need to post an image of whatever you “invent” to the “show and tell” discussion on your wordpress.com site and then share that link on the class web site/blog. This is easy to do, and you’ll see what I mean when we get to it. One way or the other, you will need to take some sort of photo or video of your project to show it to others.
- Remember that the main purpose of this project is for you to think critically and carefully about the connections between the things we are reading and discussing– the theory of writing as a technology– and the writing you “invent”– the actual practice of writing with minimal technologies. Be sure to make references and connections between your writing experiment and the assigned readings for this first part of the class. Doing this is much more important than making a really cool writing invention, so keep your priorities straight. You should strive for the best writing project that you can “invent;” however, you should spend most of your time and effort in writing and thinking about your reflective essay.
I am assuming that our first response to this is supposed to be before the readings listed, but my initial response to this was “Oh, I should burn something!” Then I read the note about not being flammable or dangerous.
This is an interesting concept, because to us in today’s modern age, writing is so readily available. It is easy to do and easy to read in many varieties, so to take that away makes it tricky.
Well, there are ways to burn things that aren’t dangerous, so that’s potentially okay idea. Just don’t try to burn words into the side of your house.
Readily available yes but all things are not easy to read. For example text messaging and facebooking. Instead of writing words out you get TTYL (talk to you later) or ROTFL ( rolling on the floor laughing). If you get a message with just acronyms and absolutely no full words you have to spend extra time decoding and that is not easy to read. Though many “new age” technologist swear this is an easy task.
The task at hand is definately tricky. How do you come up with an idea not already used and easily adaptable?
I have quite a few ideas spinning around in my head but the last bullet point is going to be the challenge for me – keeping the inventive side in line with what the text is saying. I really think it’s important to consider how easy we have it as far as writing. brings to mind monks slaving away as scribes and moses carving commandments into stone… and here I am simply clicking away at some plastic that forms, formats and spellchecks for me.
can’t wait to tackle this assignment.
Oh, we’ll be reading about those monks very soon, Ana! But one of the points I want to emphasize here is that it is much more important in this assignment to write a thoughtful and interesting essay– one that indicates to me that you’ve read and thought about the readings and their connections to the exercise of trying to invent with writing– than it is to make a really cool writing invention/technology.
As for the question that Maxine asks about originality: I wouldn’t worry so much about being original. I would rather that you just concentrate on and think about what you find surprising about trying to write with tools that are not normally for writing, and think also about what that shows you about the practice of writing as a technology.
This assignment is very interesting, it is quite difficult to think of things that are accessible to write with that are not normal means. As many people commented, the use of fire as a mean to write was one of the first things I thought about, such as people burning words into wood. It is amazing to think how far we have come with our writing technologies. I am very interested in seeing where this assignment takes me. Seeing pictures of what the other people in the class “invent” will be pretty fun as well!
I agree that this assignment is very interesting. We are all so used to using writing tools that are readily available to us and often take it for granted. I have a few ideas of the type of tool I would like to use found in nature. As for inventing something I am going to have to think about that one a little more. Seeing what everyone else comes up with for their own projects will be fun to see. Never really thought about writing with someone other than what we normally write with because it is right there in front of our faces and we don’t think twice about it. I think this project will really have me thinking outside the box.
I’m not exactly sure what I should use. I thought of crushed flowers or grass staining things, but that might be difficult to get enough, or be made legible. Another I’ve thought of would be sharp rocks on other rocks, or cement… Or just arranging rocks or sticks. A lot of options, but I’m not quite sure where to start.
I think that i’m going to stay rudimentary and use the age old technique of burning something… don’t worry, I’m a responsible adult, and you won’t see a timely warning in your inbox tomorrow!!
My crafty side is running through all of my craft supplies and how I can manipulate them and use them in a new way. My sewing machine is belting out a siren song of possibilities, in particular. We’ll see what happens after we begin reading and I’ve had some time to contemplate. Although the kitchen possibilities could be super fun too…
I agree this assignment is very interesting! I have so many ideas it’s hard to choose just one!!
I found that the juice of fresh fruit stain nicely so I think I going try this method!
This is something that’s going to take a lot of thought. I’m kind of stumped on what I want to do because I want to make sure that its not something that could be easily thought of or that’s just average. I’m hoping to come up with something that will be interesting and exciting to work on.
This assignment sounds pretty creative and challenging. It is hard to imagine writing with anything other than a pen or pencil or a cell phone/computer. Though I have a few thoughts about what may make an interesting writing instrument, I am unsure right now, what I would like to use for my invention.
Wow, this does sound challenging and very different from anything I’ve ever done. This is going to take a lot of thought, but I don’t think it’s impossible. At the moment I don’t really have any ideas on what I’m going to do, but I’m sure something will come to me. I want mine to be extremely creative!
This definitely sounds like a challenge! The wheels are already turning in my head. I hope I can come up with something inventive and effective!
I am not quite sure which method i use, but this whole thing sounds a bit tough. I feel this will create growth in everyone in this class. As much as i dislike challenges, I like growth so this should be quite an experience.
After reading the Plato work, I have a great idea of what I want to write and why. The how is a little unclear at this point, but I am sure I can come up with something.
Has anyone actually created their writing tool yet? I feel that mine is a bit rudimentary, but I think that it will get the point across. I’m becoming aglow with excitement and anticipation to see what everyone else is doing!!!
I finally figured out what I’m going to do, and I’m so excited. I was looking around in my kitchen, trying to find something to fix for dinner, and it hit me smack in the face: noodles!
There seems to be quite a few things available to write with, but very few of them are practical or portable. I thought of mowing words into my lawn, but it isn’t portable or easy to use. So I am still trying to think of something that is more practical. The essay seems to be a little less fun. Does anyone know what they are going to say with their writing tool?
I actually thought of the lawn mowing thing too, but the most I’d be able to fit would be like one word
I’m still contemplating what it is I would like to use for my invent your own writing technology. I think I am going to see about using something found in nature. If I do not get very far I will try and see what is in the kitchen. I am also going to talk with a few friends of mine and see if they have any good ideas they wouldn’t mind sharing with me.
I think I finally have an idea that I really like. I just need to decide what exactly I’m going to write it on because we can’t use paper. Tricky! I am excited about it, at first I was a little worried I wouldn’t think of anything fun, but I think I got it. :]
My plan is just to go to the park and go from there… here goes nothing
I’m a total goofball, you’ll all soon find out why
I think that everyone will be fairly entertained with what I’ve done ha!
I’m going to post the link to the separate page on which my reflective essay is located, only because I’m a little unclear on how everyone is accessing it…
http://nicholasahersey.wordpress.com/invent-your-own-writing-technologies/