A world without written language.

     The last few days in class we have discussed whether written language is an asset or a detraction from the oral tradition.  The truth is, several cultures live with only a spoken language.  Ong mentions this in chapter one saying, "Of the some 3000 languages spoken that exist today only some 78 have a literature."  I find this a very difficult concept to wrap my head around.  Written language permeates every single aspect of our society and I can't imagine living without literature.  Besides our standard textbooks and written works, written word infiltrates all businesses, communication and technology.  I would not be conveying these thoughts to you in a blog if written language didn't exist.  Heck, the internet wouldn't exist.  The Facebook tab open next to this one would not operate.  In this sense, I think writing has been an essential addition to our oral tradition.  Perhaps our memories and speaking abilities have deteriorated, but I believe these qualities can be recovered with the proper amount of ever.  In this case, the good has out weighed the bad.  With writing we can communicate to people across the globe, we can share our thoughts and ideas and discoveries without being trapped by distance.  This has made leaps and bounds for society across the globe.  Civilization could not progress without writing.