--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: While we bemoan the decline of literacy…" description: "\"While we bemoan the decline of literacy, computers discount words in favor of pictures and pictures in favor of video. While we fret about the decreasi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0be/david-gelernter-18312_argument_while-we-bemoan-the-decline-of-literacy_691472.jpg" --- # While we bemoan the decline of literacy, computers… ![“While we bemoan the decline of literacy, computers discount words in favor of pictures and pictures in favor of video. While we fret about the decreasing cogency of public debate, computers dismiss linear argument and promote fast, shallow romps across the information landscape. While we worry…” quote by David Gelernter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0be/david-gelernter-18312_argument_while-we-bemoan-the-decline-of-literacy_691472.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0be/david-gelernter-18312_argument_while-we-bemoan-the-decline-of-literacy_691472.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0be/david-gelernter-18312_argument_while-we-bemoan-the-decline-of-literacy_691472.jpg) > “While we bemoan the decline of literacy, computers discount words in favor of pictures and pictures in favor of video. While we fret about the decreasing cogency of public debate, computers dismiss linear argument and promote fast, shallow romps across the information landscape. While we worry about basic skills, we allow into the classroom software that will do a student's arithmetic or correct his spelling.” [David Gelernter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gelernter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Technology shifts focus from text to visual media, reducing depth of discourse and basic skill practice. **In simple terms:** Tech favors images over words, weakening deep thinking. Key Takeaway Encourage balanced media use and critical thinking. Themes media technology education critical thinking Mood concerned reflective Type analytical critical When to use this quote - classroom tech - public debate - personal learning Key Concepts digital literacy cognitive depth skill erosion Questions to Reflect On - How can we integrate visual tools without losing depth? - What skills should schools prioritize? A Different Perspective May limit creativity and visual literacy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Arithmetic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arithmetic/) [Classroom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/classroom/) [Classroom Software](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/classroom-software-5492896/) [Computer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computer/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Debate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debate/) [Debate Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debate-computers-5492895/) [Decline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decline/) [Decline Literacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decline-literacy-5492897/) [Discounts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discounts/) [Favors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/favors/) [Free speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-speech/) [Information](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/information/) [Internet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet/) [Landscape](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/landscape/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Linear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/linear/) [Literacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literacy/) [Literacy Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literacy-computers-2888801/) [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) [Shallow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shallow/) [Skills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skills/) [Software](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/software/) [Spelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spelling/) [Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students/) [Video](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/video/) [Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry/) ## Related quotes > [It's not computer literacy that we should be working on, but sort of human-literacy. 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