The problem of this shift, according to Birkerts, is that it represents a complete change in our culture. He states that the immediacy and closeness of the electronic world gives us a heightened awareness of the present. Thus, we lose our historical perception, which must depend on the ideas of logic and sequential events. For evidence, Birkerts cites declining educational systems, drops in reading ability, and leveling off of aptitude scores as signaling the detrimental effects of this period (393). Birkerts is not alone in his feeling that our culture is shifting to an electronic medium. Robert Zich, special projects czar of the Library of Congress, agrees that the status of the Library is becoming more like a museum. Zich sees a time when the entire contents of the Library of Congress will be at the fingertips of anyone with a computer terminal. Birkerts sees this action as a frightening revelation, marking the end of the natural world and the nature of looking (395).

Birkerts notes a waning of the private self taking place. He believes that the walls and doors we hold on to for privacy will matter less and less with the transparency of wires intertwined in our existence.

Birkerts' cites three "proto-electronic" events with which to identify in our shift toward an electronic medium. Language erosion will grow through a series of cycles of streamlining, editing, and glossing of difficult texts. Birkerts cites the changes in college textbooks as an example. Secondly, Birkerts points out the flattening of historical perception. He sees the changes in storage and access as inevitably affecting our historical memory. Finally, Birkerts' notes a waning of the private self taking place. He believes that the walls and doors we hold on to for privacy will matter less and less with the transparency of wires intertwined in our existence (397).

In response to Birkerts' claims about the prevalent dangers of our changing communication medium, I find that his case should be viewed with a skeptical eye. Obviously, our culture is changing, but Birkerts' type of doomsday speculation is simply unfounded. It is true that any type of change marks an uneasiness and fear. However, change does not equate to failure. The basis of Birkerts' arguments about aptitude test scores, the decline of schools, and drops in reading ability cannot simply be attributed to the advent of electronic media.

I feel Birkerts has a literary agenda at work when he cites the gloom and doom possibilities of an electronic world. To use his own example of ancient Greece, the art of public speaking and oration is still studied today in our literary society; in fact, much of that study is done through literary works. I think it is off-base to believe that literary study and history will disappear because of the electronic medium. If anything, I feel the electronic medium will support literary and historical practices as long as those who love and work with language and are involved in the process of change do not shun this new medium but, instead, find ways to incorporate electronics into their respective fields.

Birkerts, Sven. "Into the Electronic Millenium." The Gutenberg Elegies: The Fate of Reading in an Electronic Age. 389-398.