Alexandra Hill

Entry 1 Week 1

September 8, 2006

ENC 1102-703

Text Book Topic # 3

Wendell Berry "Why I Am Not Going to Buy a Computer"

‘When one door closes, another opens. But we often look so regretfully upon the closed door that we don’t see the one which has opened for us.’- Alexander Graham Bell. Wendell Berry’s argument to the computer, does not just argue against the computer but against all progress. I found his argument to be unconvincing and closed minded. He did not take into account the advantages a computer may offer. Computers would be able to allow him to send his work to multiple people to allow for critiques. The only person who reads his work now is his wife. It has been my experience that loved ones have a tendency to veil the truth with a layer of sensitivity to ensure that feelings are spared. The argument reeks of a child worried of rejection.

Progress is only achieved through open minds and with the common goal of the betterment of society. Mr. Berry’s concerns do not deal with anyone else besides himself. He is not actively trying to better his writing he is concerned that the computer may effect his lifestyle. Also if he does invest in a computer, he may equal more work for himself. His wife would not type up his work and let him know what she thinks. He may have to critique and proofread himself. Progress is supposed to improve society as a whole. Mr. Berry also spoke of horses used in his farming. Indicating that he is not solely closed minded when it pertains to the computer, but any technology that is different. The idea of the farming technology is to make farmers life easier, as well as decreasing cost of food, increasing everyone’s standard of living.

Although his claim that computers diminish meaningful relationships. Can he not have a meaningful relationship with his wife if she is not completing his work for him? Fulfilling relationships do take work as well as bonds, common beliefs and common interests. If Mr. Berry can only view is wife in the traditional standing, indicating that her sole purpose is to improve his grammar and complete tasks for him. The argument does not provide support for his case, but seems to increase the idea that Mr. Berry his closed minded. His closed mindedness seems to spread to every aspect of his life, his relationships, his work, and his home.

Mr. Berry’s argument I found unconvincing and lacking in reasoning. The list at the end of the argument I did not agree with at all. The list suggests that all technology and progress must fit into a box and is only acceptable with specific criteria, further increasing that the main theme through the argument was close mindedness.

http://creatingminds.org/quotes/openness.htm

Comments

Hi Alexandra,

I have done this article in the past, which you can view here . I had compared Wendell's set of "standards" to a more extreme scenario in which his wife required the installation of a pacemaker in order to survive. If Wendell stuck by his standards unconditionally, than he would have opted for his wife's death instead of installing the pacemaker. You can see my argument in full through the above link.

I personally have no problem with Wendell's own individual beliefs, but the part of the essay that bothered me was when he stated that "Computers have been sold to schools in need of books." He is making it sound as though a book possesses greater value than a computer. In my own opinion, a computer is the equivalent of 1,000 books in terms of information, so who is to say that it possesses inferior priority. He is insinuating that his ideals are the only means to a successful academic future. He is attempting to create a societal norm that is based merely on his own individual beliefs.

I can see that you take the same stance as I did in reference to Wendell's viewpoint on the deteoration of relationships. What I don't understand is how their relationship will diminish if she is no longer forced to spend hours upon hours editing his work. You would think that their relationship would improve, seeing as they would have more free time to do things that they could more-so enjoy (Going to the park, having a picnic, spending a day at the beach)

He also claims that his writing will not improve if he begins using computers. Is his wife not human? Does she not make grammatical and spelling errors? She is not programmed to pick up on such errors, nor is she the epiphany of intellectual perfection. Mistakes can get past her that would not get past Microsoft Word's spell check. I believe that Wendell's argument is neither valid or sound, and unfortunately this philosopher has had zero success in persuading me to "give up" technology.

Heather Byrne