Understanding Postliteracy: A Shift in Cultural Values
Postliteracy refers to a state or society where the majority of the population can read and write, but where the ability to do so no longer confers social advantage or status. In other words, postliteracy is a society where literacy is widespread, but not necessarily valued or privileged.
In a postliterate society, reading and writing are seen as basic skills rather than as markers of intelligence or sophistication. This can be due to a variety of factors, such as the availability of information through technology, the decline of certain forms of written communication, or changes in social norms and values.
The concept of postliteracy was first proposed by the literary critic and scholar, George Steiner, in his 1994 book "The Death of Tragedy." Steiner argued that the rise of mass media and the decline of traditional forms of literature had led to a shift in cultural values, such that literacy was no longer seen as a key factor in determining one's place in society.
Since then, the idea of postliteracy has been explored by scholars in a variety of fields, including education, sociology, and cultural studies. Some have argued that postliteracy represents a new stage in the development of human communication, while others have seen it as a threat to traditional forms of literacy and intellectual inquiry.
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