Past & Contemporary Rhetoric with the Advancement of Technology

Well, I apologize in advance, for this is a long one.  Technology and the advent of social media and their ramifications on relationships, education and society overall has been a hot topic for me recently and discussed in depth with some close friends.  This brought me to looking at an old paper I wrote for a COM/Rhetoric type class I took in 2011 at UM-F. I've pasted the paper below:

Past & Contemporary Rhetoric with the Advancement of Technology

Cogito ergo sum, translated as I think therefore I am, is an immensely deep declaration originating from Rene Descartes on the tail of the Renaissance during the time period known as The Enlightment.  Such an acknowledgement is a great basis and foundation surrounding the evolution of humans from centuries past.  The human mind is such a powerful tool that it’s difficult to imagine replacing it with anything else.  As a matter of fact, it’s because of such powerful minds we are now able to stand here in the 21^st century with technologies beyond our wildest dreams.  While the object of technology should not be to replace the human mind, but rather enhance it, it’s important we as a society remain grounded and intellectual, just as the great philosophers of the past exuded.

For centuries rhetoric has been the driving force behind civilization.  In persuasion, debates, inquiries, influence, leadership or determination, rhetoric has truly paved the way for advancement and progression.  Today in the 21^st century we rely very heavily on technology to enforce and influence some of the great rhetorical theories of the past.  This was quite the contrary to how rhetoric and persuasion was handled prior, for rhetoric dates back to ancient Greece with the influences of some of the most famous philosophers of all time. To have a better understanding of the influence of contemporary argumentation and persuasion, with the advancement of technology, it is first very important to study the influence of those philosophers of the past.

            There was little freedom in the time of Ancient Greece.  There were very strict limitations for what constituted a citizen and people had limited people or places to turn to in a time of despair.  Individuals were not privy to the works of Socrates or Aristotle and their options were few and far between. 

The Greek Sophists were extremely influential in a time where many people felt ill-equipped with the education and overall knowledge to influence others and find different successes throughout society.  The Sophists would travel throughout Athens and teach others the rules of rhetoric for a monetary fee.  The Sophists were driven by a business venture which they would in turn offer their knowledge and experiences which were certainly in high demand.  “Sophisim” was an extremely influential time in human advancement and the starting gate for the theories of rhetoric. 

            Another influence to rhetoric came from Gorgias of Leontini.  Gorigias had a huge influence in rhetoric in his persuasive verbal power and his cunning sense about culture.  Gorgias was highly regarded for his teaching and learning styles and seemed to really connect with people throughout Greece.  Because of Gorgias, society took notice of the concept of eloquence and its power in speech.  The progression of society seems to be on a path of optimism and virtue and continues with Plato of the Phaedrus.

            With Plato of the Phaedrus comes rhetoric as a techne.  Phaedrus is very open and to the practice and teachings of rhetoric and compiled a list of rules for effective persuasion.  Plato of the Phaedrus was able to discuss in great length the idea of rhetoric with the great Socrates and eventually influences Socrates into accepting the idea of rhetoric.  With more and more acceptance, society hits its stride and we move into a time of Aristotle and the continuation of how powerful the human mind really is.

            Aristotle, one of the most recognizable philosophers of all time held many important thoughts and ideas of society and represented a huge interest in teaching others the essentials to life and success.  In specific, Artistotle’s Rhetoric is what I consider to be the handbook of all things rhetoric.  The text begins with Aristotle explaining the correlation between dialect and rhetoric.  “Both alike are concerned with such things as come, more or less, within the general ken of all mean and belong to no definite science   (  Aristotle, 1 ). Continuing his thoughts with the confidence of truth over falsity, knowledge and instruction and how ethos, pathos and logos play an intricate role in providing proof in persuasion. The knowledge brought forth from Aristotle was legendary and still practiced to this day.

            Leaving the Greek origins of persuasion theory, society moves forward to the time of Ancient Rome, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance.  During these particular times rhetoric and the expansion of the human mind evolves further into the realm of past society.  Individuals like St. Augustine, Castiglione and Machiavelli hold reign throughout the land and they too bring forth important ideas surrounding rhetoric and its practice among society.

            Augustine was a huge ambassador for Western Christianity and used the Bible as the handbook of life on earth and its civilization.  Coming into the Middle Ages and in a time of “social chaos,” Augustine introduced On Christian Doctrine as a reference piece for translating Biblical scriptures.  By teaching others the Truth from Biblical scriptures, Augustine was able to set a standard for what was orthodox. Augustine definitely took advantage of the current state of affairs back then and led by example.  Augustine refers to rhetoric stating that it is a “critical tool” and a “performative skill.”

            Transitioning away from Augustine, Castiglione begins to reign his influence on the wave of humanism throughout The Renaissance and the rebirth of Europe.   Using his wit and cunning knowledge, Castiglione influences his leadership skills to teach the ways of influencing a court.  Essentially, people became skeptical of certain religious ideas set forth from Augustine and developed a foundation for doubt- which was certainly a huge stride in human rhetoric. 

            Castiglione introduces The Book of the Courtier, which is a series of multiple conversations among the courtiers in the time of the Duke of Urbino.  The meaning behind the conversations is simple, to decipher what goes into making the perfect courtier.  Castiglione presents a new influence on leadership and rhetoric stating that its not necessarily about what you know, but rather how well you can portray to others what they think you know. Grace and charm are key attributes. 

            Maintaining the humanistic approach, Machiavelli is introduced in the awakening of Europe.  Machiavelli continues forward with the stance that he doesn’t need things such as religion and ethics to run a government.  It was irrelevant to Machiavelli whether one was of good character or in general a good person.  Lie, deceive and step on as many people as necessary for achievement.  Certainly very blunt and radical, it was the best way Machiavelli saw fit for humans to succeed at any costs.  Dare we say this is similar to today’s status quo? 

            The Enlightment period offered new hope and insight on the progress of human civilization.  Things like logic and rationality led the way as new ventures into civilization.  Modernity is introduced as a Western History staple and people are left to the positive future outlook with colonialism and industrialization settling in.  Science hits its stride and literacy reaches the masses.  Before we know it we’re in the present day 21^st century where technology has an enormous impact on the world as we know it.

            Technologies of the past were minuscule, to say the least. In the 1430’s the printing press was invented and had a huge influence on education and society.  Since the days of Ancient Europe, civilizations have been introduced to countless inventions ranging from cameras, morse code, radio to television and the type writer.  In present day we’re equipped with perhaps the most influential tool mankind has seen yet for mass communication, the internet. The invention of the internet had a huge impact on not only education and civilization, yet also was a very important venue for persuasion and rhetoric.

            The invention of the internet came shortly after the invention of the personal computer and the world wide web in 1991 ( History ).  The internet is by far the most technologically savvy mode for mass communication that any society has yet to witness.  In addition to communicating, people use the internet to research, educate and influence others.  Rhetoric can certainly be enhanced by the internet.    One literally has the world at their fingertips.  Although there are some negative effects that come with technology, there are definitely heaps of benefits when it comes to theories on rhetoric. 

            The internet offers a vast array of different opinions, thoughts and ideas to be broadcasted all over the world.  For rhetoricians, scholars, or one who is simply hoping to persuade or influence other, the internet can be an extremely powerful tool.  Whether it’s chatting, blogging, tweeting, emailing or streaming, there appears to be endless options for open and blank slates for one to share their opinions about something to the entire world.

            Furthermore, it’s not just convenience and availability that enforces the ties between rhetoric and internet, for immediacy also plays a crucial role. The fact that news, events and information can be streamed almost instantaneously is astonishing- something people like Socrates, Aristotle or Augustine would be flabbergasted over. The internet literally allows people to view things in “real time” and there’s a huge captive audience on the receiving end.  “Ownerless, borderless, and essentially absent of time and space, it nonetheless provides, creates, and perpetuates the rhetorical and literal context for the exchange of a variety of messages for an ever-increasing variety of rhetors to ever-increasing multifaceted and fractured audiences,” ( Krausse ) states professor Steven D. Krause from Eastern Michigan University. 

            Additionally, the internet has certainly opened numerous educational doors for the study of not just rhetoric, but all things worth learning.  One can access countless research sites, encyclopedias, books, dictionaries, newspaper articles; the possibilities are again nearly endless -without leaving the comfort of their home. Some have named this mode of learning “online learning” or “virtual learning.”

            Using the internet to fulfill class credits is nothing new in the 21^st century.  Enrollment in online classes becomes more and more popular every day as institutions strive to fulfill a student’s expectations of convenience and “high-tech opportunities.”

According to the St. Petersburg Times newspaper, more than 20 percent of college students enrolled in online classes in 2007, equating to 3.94 million students and almost doubling the number of enrollees in 2003 ( Vander ). Perhaps even more astonishing is the rise of K-12 online learning.

            The New York Times has reported that “Nationwide, an estimated 1.03 million students at the K-12 level took an online course in 2007-8, up 47 percent from two years earlier, according to the Sloan Consortium, an advocacy group for online education. About 200,000 students attend online schools full time, often charter schools that appeal to home-schooling families, according to another report ( Gabriel ). The classes were noted as being very popular among make-up classes, advance placement classes and those classes that have too few students to fill a classroom. Perhaps most shocking, high school students in Memphis are required to take an online class as a graduation requirement ( Gabriel ).

It becomes increasingly more apparent that the internet has certainly influenced rhetoric and education as a whole. However, I can’t help ask if there’s such thing as too much of good thing?  Does “information overload” truly exist?  Could it be that the internet has somewhat replaced what were once deemed sophists, in so far as both claim to have infinite access to knowledge and successes, yet when left to their own devises ill intent presents itself? Do students who solely rely in online classes perhaps face the likelihood of facing difficulties with interacting with the real world?

“Kairos was central to the Sophists, who stressed the rhetor's ability to adapt to and take advantage of changing, contingent circumstances” ( Kairos ).  Technology, even through the heaps of benefits and possibilities, certainly appears to have a dark side.  Could it be that the internet begins to make it much easier for the human mind to slack on things like thought, invention, ideas, and general stance and principal?  I believe that technology certainly does encourage laziness, both physically and mentally.

The internet, much like the real world, is full of social chaos, numerous falsities, inaccurate statements, unreliable resources, and persuasive insights from unwanted and unwarranted influences.  Hate groups are now in tuned to social media’s internet and use it as their medium to promote appalling ideas and thoughts. The internet- although very useful and helpful in most instances, left to certain individuals own demise can be extremely ridicule and dangerous to the untrained eye or those of gullible personalities.

Take for example the Ku Klux Klan.  In an article titled The Internet Rhetoric of the Ku Klux Klan: A Case Study in Web Site Community Building Run Amok, author Denise Bostdorff explains in great detail that some groups like the K.K.K. engage individuals by way of the internet to promote hate towards minorities in attempt to influence others. “The angry style of Klan discourse, which is compatible with the rhetorical conventions of the Web, discourages dissenting points of view while inflaming potential supporters.  Moreover, Klan rhetoric on the Web encourages odious political activity, including acts of violence, at the same time that Klan web sites disavow responsibilities for the consequences of their messages” ( Bostdorff ).

In addition to the impact of internet with hate groups, there are also the never ending, daunting scams.  Scam artists throughout the world find their way through cyberspace to prey on the uninformed and sometimes the most informed and savvy individuals out there.  It certainly takes a trained eye to identify what’s real from what’s fiction.  According to the Federal Buerau of Investigation’s 2007 Internet Crime Report, Pet scams, Funds Transfer Scams and Charity Frauds were some of the most reported internet scams around.  Pet scams involve those wanting to purchase or adopt a pet, fork out the cash with no pet in return.  Funds Transfer Scams typically involves wire transferring to a “trusted” business partner or friend, when in reality it’s a scam to receive quick cash.  Lastly there are the Charity Frauds where a good samaritan is taken advantage of with the hopes of helping others, when really their money is going to a con artist ( FBI ).       

It has become painstakingly obvious how the internet can indeed have a negative effect on education and rhetoric.  Doctor Krause later discusses in his dissertation on the immediacy of information stating that “If messages can be delivered and received immediately and simultaneously by multiple audiences and rhetors without regard to physical time or space, how can we determine and define ‘context’?” In addition Krause adds that “’Immediacy’ then, the subject of this dissertation, is my personal term and effort to come to some understanding about the nature of rhetorical situations and contexts in a postmodern world, and how immediate rhetorical situations are altered by the technologies employed to deliver the messages”                  ( Krausse ).

            With all of the negative impacts the internet can have on rhetoric, it’s important to embrace more popular and traditional modes of rhetoric embraced by both philosophers of the past and more contemporary philosophy ambassadors of the present. Society should certainly be open to new ideas and, however it’s important to not leave behind philosophy’s roots.  Whether its Plato’s influence on discourse, Aristotle’s embrace on persuasion or Machiavelli’s influence on style and deception, there’s plenty of valuable theories surrounding rhetoric that are both revolutionary and timeless.

Lastly, technology, internet included, can certainly go hand in hand with scholars of rhetoric so long as we don’t leave behind theories of the past and fall into the countless traps that tend to flood the internet.  It’s extremely important to be critical and responsible when it comes to the information and statistics found online.  Because there is so much information floating around on the web, be particular and look to those reliable sources for information, not just Joe’s Blog, for more times than not, Joe is not the expert.  

While there are certainly both positive and negative effects that derive from the internet, it’s important to find a happy median and remain open-minded, yet critical with new technological advancements.  With appropriate knowledge and experience, there’s certainly useful information to be obtained from the internet to perhaps make today’s world a better place. Keeping in mind that there’s a reason why we still read the great philosophy works of the past and as long as we use technology to embrace past works and present day thoughts, the two certainly can live in harmony.  However remember that while the object of technology should not be to replace the human mind, but rather enhance it, it’s important we as a society remain grounded and intellectual, just as the great philosophers of the past exemplified.