James Howe’s Keynote Address, “Only Connect: Why Writing Matters More than Ever in an Age When We’re Always Connected but Rarely Connect” resonated with me on many levels. On an educator level, I constantly shake my head when I hear of children being babysat by video games instead of people. Additionally, I’ve sat at many a restaurant and seen a group of kids sitting at a table together, but not talking since they were texting or talking on their respective cell phones. On a personal level, I’m one of those people who still buys and sends birthday cards and presents to close friends. In addition, I’d rather pick up the phone to share good news with friends and family rather than posting it on my Facebook wall. We live in an age where technology substitutes for human interaction, text messages suffice for birthday wishes, and tweets inform our pals of engagements and new jobs; I’m starting to think we need to take a step back to figure out how to get the “technology thing” a little more right.
James Howe asserted that new technology diminishes our abilities to problem-solve since it’s about ease and convenience. Additionally, he highlighted an imporant fact: less thought goes into our own words when we operate in the virtual world.
Here are the notes from Howe’s speech at last week’s Writing Institute. Perhaps some of the things I jotted down while he spoke will resonate with you and will make you offer alternative ways of thinking about and using technology so we can use it to connect in a meaningful way.
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 
How true…this truly made me think. Thanks for the post and the notes!
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@Michelle: I should’ve written about that. My apologies!
Addy on the Inside is the name of Howe’s new book that will be released this fall. It’s a follow-up on The Misfits and Totally Joe. He read excerpts from Addy on the Inside during his speech; one poem in particular reflects some of what he discussed in his keynote.
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Thank you for sharing your notes.
I was wondering what Addy on the Inside refers to. Thank you. 🙂
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Ruth and Stacey,
Just yesterday I found your writing blog when I searched for something of the “power of three.” I was happy to find your post of last September. WordPress and you came through!
I was recently on a trip and found myself noticing all things three and wanted to write about that. So I’ve referenced you on my post of yesterday. Thanks!
And, as a mom, grandma, and former nursing teacher, I agree with your post of today. I’d much rather get a written note or letter than a text message! And to see the English language in completeness, not in texting jargon.
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I too send birthday cards and at least once a week, try to send a note to one of my teachers about something I have seen in the classroom(during the school year). And I agree that childhood is vanishing. I cringe everytime a parent wants to know if we have computer time in our preschool day. On another note, we have also seen a change in fine motor development and I always wonder if this is tied to computer use.
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I also continue to wonder what happens to children’s thinking process when ideas are typed rather than written. Is a different part of the brain used? Is creativity different when we don’t slow down and meander through our thoughts? Caps lock and control B feel very different emotionally from writing fast in capital letters and retracing something to make it bold with a pen.
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People have a lot to read, but very little to say, let alone write
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