Advent Quote by Theodore Bikel
“After the advent of the written word, the masses who could not - or were not permitted to - read, were given sermons by the few who could.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Folk Music and Social Change, 1970
Literacy concentrates power, allowing a literate elite to shape public belief through sermons.
In simple terms: Reading gives power to control ideas.
Key Takeaway
Promote universal literacy.
Themes
education
power
media influence
Mood
concerned
hopeful
Type
political
educational
When to use this quote
- public policy
- religious teaching
- media broadcasting
Key Concepts
information control
social hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure multiple voices are heard?
- What role does oral tradition still play?
A Different Perspective
Even with literacy, access to diverse sources may be limited.
![“Hypertext makes a virtue out of lack of organization, allowing ideas and thoughts to be juxtaposed at will. [...] The advent of hypertext is apt to make writing much more difficult, not easier. Good writing, that is.” quote by Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/662/donald-a-norman-6862_advent_hypertext-makes-a-virtue-out-of-lack-of_51804.jpg)
