The Owl Has Flown Response
In Sven Birkerts writing, “The Owl Has Flown,” Birkerts puts forth something to think about for any modern day reader. Birkerts believes that over the years the methodology of reading has changed as the technology has advanced. In the older days, people had small amounts of texts to choose from, but read them more thoroughly, and gained in depth knowledge about each book. In this day and age, the scope of reading has broadened but at the same time become shallower. He believes that we now read large amounts of materials, divulging ourselves into all sorts of different subject matter, but that we merely skim across its surface gaining no knowledge. In his opinion we have gone from vertical to horizontal depth. He deems an increase in the availability of reading materials the source of this change. Through the aforementioned essay, Birkerts successfully paints his argument and shows the power that can be gained from reading deeply and critically. He effectively depicts the changes made within our brains and habits as life around us changes in the literary world, and uses a steadfast argument to prove the negative effects of the loss of deep reading. (Birkerts)
Birkerts uses the terms “vertical consciousness” and “horizontal consciousness”. (Birkerts) He provides his rendition of a definition for both. In his opinion, vertical consciousness is the awareness one gains when they thinks deeply on a specific field of knowledge and then becomes well versed and acquire extensive insight on said subject. Horizontal consciousness, on the other hand, is when an individual reads a large variety of subjects but has no deep insight on any particular subject. He strongly favors vertical awareness and urges us that we are losing it.
I too believe that the ability to gain vertical awareness is slowly disappearing, as shown not only by Birkerts’ "The Owl Has Flown," but in many other examples, both from the real world and from other writings. As the world's technology advanced
Birkerts uses the terms “vertical consciousness” and “horizontal consciousness”. (Birkerts) He provides his rendition of a definition for both. In his opinion, vertical consciousness is the awareness one gains when they thinks deeply on a specific field of knowledge and then becomes well versed and acquire extensive insight on said subject. Horizontal consciousness, on the other hand, is when an individual reads a large variety of subjects but has no deep insight on any particular subject. He strongly favors vertical awareness and urges us that we are losing it.
I too believe that the ability to gain vertical awareness is slowly disappearing, as shown not only by Birkerts’ "The Owl Has Flown," but in many other examples, both from the real world and from other writings. As the world's technology advanced
Cited: Birkerts, Sven. “The Owl Has Flown”. Think Vertically! Ed. Whatcom Community College English Faculty. Southlake, TX: Fountainhead press, 2010. 31-39. Print. Carr, Nicholas. “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” The Atlantic. 302.1 (2008): 56-61. Proquest. Web. 6 Oct. 2010. LeFever, Gretchen B., and Andrea P. Acona. "ADHD among American Schoolchildren." Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice. Web. 22 Jan. 2012. . Newburger, Eric C. "Home Computers and Internet Use in the United States: August 2000." Www.census.gov. Web. 22 Jan. 2012.