The Gutenberg Elegies reflects Birkerts less than positive views on technology. In the text Birkerts says, “Reading, for me, is one activity that inscribes the limit of the old conception of the individual and his relation to the world”, (pg. 15) which shows his endearing feelings towards tradition. Technology seems to be more so of a burden in the literary world than a gift. Birkerts view on technological advances is that of disgust and disappointment. Traditionally writing is a very hands on process which takes time and care. By using computers it becomes a fast almost emotionless act. Birkerts believes that, ” We are living in the midst of a momentous paradigm shift”. (pg. 18) He believes that the technological revolution has severely hindered the development of literature. Books should be laid out in your lap and carefully studied according to his views. The old world charm of reading a book has been lost in a sea of computers. Birkerts utterly despises what technology has done to the modern world and how it has affected people today. I believe that technology can help the spread of literature and makes information more accessible to the common person. Technology can be misused, but in the case of literature it helps to develop it into a format that people today can relate to.
