2 Comments

1. 

   R.Nanjappa (@Nanjundasarma)

    /  May 30, 2019

   The item about Gutenberg’s dream is deeply meaningful.
   Generally, things are more abused than put to proper use. Deviations are much more than direct observance or compliance. In the modern day, there is even a “law” which says ” If something can go wrong, it Will “.- which is known as Murphy’s Law- attributed to Edward Murphy. This law is stated in many ways, like anything that can go wrong will go wrong, etc.

   We clearly see this in respect of any modern gadget or media or even art like music, cinema, painting, entertainment. Every form of modern art is more abused than used to serve or promote the intended purpose. Modern technology has made things easy, and this combines with the human tendency to make a quick buck. which is usually by appealing to the baser instincts.
   The print media is a prime example of this. Millions of books are published every year in so many languages- but how many of them are really meant to appeal to our higher nature or to edify or even inform properly? Most of them provide momentary titillation or excitement , make money for some and then disappear. But just think of the millions of tons of paper and the millions of trees cut for making them!

   Not many philosophers or sociologists have studied this phenomenon. Lewis Mumford stated in general that humanity has mistaken comfort for civilization. But the French philosopher and sociologist Jacques Ellul went into this question in great depth and detail. He showed that in every single instance, modern technology has debased society and our minds. Taking the very print media, he showed how a popular newspaper would bestow more attention on frivolous aspects and not on serious things. For instance, a cine star or sports personality would attract more space and attention and advanced treatment than a philosopher or even a scientist. Thus we see in a leading daily like The Times of India more attention paid to displaying cine stars and starlets in various degrees of nakedness, than to portraying scientists, artists or philosophers! Silly details of their lives like their divorces, latest affairs etc get space, rather than the lives and achievements of thinkers who contributed to society’s well being. “The Technological Society” [ 1964] by Jacques Ellul is an explosive book. written with “monumental calm and maddening thoroughness”. Society has been technicized and made more efficient, but in the process it has become less human. Alas! few of our people read and reflect on this.
   It is said that China knew printing before Gutenberg, but did not resort to it on any big scale. Likewise ancient India and Greece did know of many inventions and processes which they did not make public. Gutenberg’s dream is quite meaningful and society has only suffered because he did not heed its warning.

2. 

   Tamil and Vedas

    /  June 1, 2019

   THANKS.