The Demise of the Fine Art of Editing

With the advent of the 'smartphone' and 'tablet', even more semi-literate individuals have joined the host of internet users and they often use their new capabilities to post comments on Facebook and even launch their own weblogs or join other forums where their views can be and are published regularly.

This is a wonderful social phenomenon actually.  It gives every one the potential to be a writer, social commentator, poet or critic of the arts, society, political realities or anything else beneath the Sun or Moon.  On the other hand, the ease with which any typed word can be published has brought any sort of standard of perfection in language or communication crashing down.  THAT is a tragedy and one that ultimately may have long-term consequences.

Another communication shortcut that is prevalent on the internet is that of copying and pasting the words, artwork or photograph of another.  Those who do not feel themselves up to the task of creating a witty epigram or incisive comment upon the state of the world often are able to find that their own views have been described quite aptly by some one else.  Another common motivation for publishing the art or words of another is the desire to entertain.  An amusing photograph or clever phrase may be shared over and over by various users of Facebook in the same way in what probably is an attempt to scatter sunbeams as widely as possible.

Once upon a time, even though writing required a great deal of effort, whether achieved through the use of an ink pen or typewriter,  most writers took some care to improve their initial thoughts and outpourings by editing them.  There were first draughts and second draughts and final versions of documents, whether non-fiction, prose fiction or poetry.  The 'art of writing' was given serious consideration by most individuals with any aspirations to have their work read by more than one recipient.

Now any one can publish a word or volume with a single click and ironically, although editing could be performed with far less effort than in pre-internet days, few individuals bother to improve their initial messages.  It is not simply a matter of spelling errors or poor grammar either.  The effects of instant publication are far more grievous in terms of social communication.  People often are thoughtless, cruel or nasty and even more often, simply devoid of common courtesy in their internet communications with others.  Despite the fact that the technology gives users far more time to improve their messages, most people post in haste to repent (or not) at leisure.

I am as guilty as any one else of carelessness in publishing without taking extra time to improve my posts or messages.  I suppose I justify it with a belief that, if I do not publish mu thoughts immediately, especially where this weblog is concerned, I probably never will do so at all.   Nonetheless, it is what an old friend of mine called 'diarrhea' writing at its worst: from the brain through the fingers without pausing to consider or weigh each word.

I should make a resolution to craft prose in the same judicious fashion as any serious poet, making every word count and reverberate not only with significance but with eloquent beauty.  Perhaps I shall... but then, will I ever publish another word or remain mute forevermore?

N.B.  Literacy isn't everything by any means.  There are many geniuses who lack the tools to be truly exceptional writers in terms of form or style but whose ideas are exceptional.