Sunday, September 15, 2019
Analysis of Language Essay
ââ¬Å"Keyed inâ⬠published by Internet blogger Voxi is a persuasive article regarding the technological boom being experienced by not only todayââ¬â¢s youth but by society in general. Published on May 23, 2009 on website Ctrl Alt ââ¬Å"Keyed inâ⬠Voxi, contends that society and its members should herald the implementation of new technology and welcome it with open arms, contrasting the internet with great historical discoveries such as Darwinism and the reorganisation of the cosmos. The title itself has a double meaning, the first and most obvious of which is the literal keyboard associated with technology and the second refers to those who are keyed in to an ever-changing society and willing to move with it as opposed to be left behind. The article begins with a non-confrontational tone however throughout Voxi begins to show a more compelling tone. Accompanying Voxiââ¬â¢s article is a picture of a human head withholding a microchip that projects multiple layers, th e main point of this is to make the reader think about how technology has been embedded into the core of society and implemented into every layer of the world today. Voxiââ¬â¢s contention is pro digital technology and is this is strategically withheld until the 5th paragraph so that readers will read on, curious of the writers contention Voxi continuously simplifies and exemplifies his arguments through metaphoric language, allowing for readers to fully comprehend his opinion whilst addressing the additional attention required. By contrasting people who embrace technology with ââ¬Å"the grit [of] an oysterâ⬠, readers are initially made to regard individuals who accept change as stubborn, unwanted members of society. However Voxi diverts this analogy, positively presenting these ââ¬Å"gritty peopleâ⬠by explaining how oysters ââ¬Å"produce pearlsâ⬠. Readers are allowed to distinguish the relationship between the beauty of pearls, with the accomplishments of those who wish to make ââ¬Å"things betterâ⬠, evoking gratitude towards these individuals who ââ¬Å"ask questionsâ⬠. Through the inclusion of television series ââ¬Å"The Inventorsâ⬠, Voxi aims his opinion piece towards those who enjoy witnessing the progression of technology into exciting ventures. By correlating the ââ¬Å"gritt y peopleâ⬠with individuals who eventually enter the show, Voxi aspires to present readers with members ofà society who wish to improve quality of life. As readers witness the potential benefits of change in their lives, they feel inclined to accept the alterations in all forms, including technology. Voxi introduces readers to the concept of beneficial change prior to his contention of digital technology being a great opportunity for humanity, as a way of creating susceptibility within readers towards accepting alterations in life. The writer promotes the ââ¬Å"digital revolutionâ⬠through a quick succession of psychological benefits, in that humans will ââ¬Å"solve the riddles of the universe, find cures faster [and] find ways of preserving the planetâ⬠. By presenting a promising future, readers are encouraged to embrace such hope and reject the ââ¬Å"boundaries of darknessâ⬠. Through using the comical term ââ¬Å"homo supersapienâ⬠, Voxi introduces readers to a more relaxed aspect of his opinion piece, using a less eccentric tone to formulate the possibility of an advanced race of humans. The writer further explains how this superior human species will be capable of ââ¬Å"ending war and violenceâ⬠, exciting readers to the prospect of world peace. By expressing an aspect of world culture wished by all members of society, Voxi instruments his argument to appeal to readerââ¬â¢s humanity. However Voxi also notes to include the flaws in his argument, through the inclusion of a podcast which consist of the negative attributes associated with technology, such as ââ¬Å"the digital world is a worldâ⬠¦where nothing has meaningâ⬠. The podcast itself is efficient through repetitive language in ââ¬Å"a worldâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ so as to emphasise the significance of technology on society. By demonstrating that he is unbiased towards the subject, the writer positions readers to be more accepting of his contention as they are exposed to both aspects of the debate, and so are allowed to establish an opinion on the issue themselves. By revealing both facets of the dilemma, Voxi gains readers trust as they are not mislead or withheld from information. The fear of privacy invasion is also addressed, in that Voxi offers relatively simple solutions to an initially complex problem. As a major concern in the development of technology is privacy issues, Voxi explains how ââ¬Å"you can protestâ⬠and ââ¬Å"get them removedâ⬠if worried. By confronting theà issue and proposing an answer readerââ¬â¢s trust in the writer is reinforced, as he has for the second time confronted a flaw in his argument. Voxi capitalises on this technique by proceeding to include the rhetorical question, ââ¬Å"why wouldnââ¬â¢t you want it in your life?â⬠, so as to impose a one-directional response from readers who proceed to feel pressured to comply with the writerââ¬â¢s contention. Voxi repeats this methodology when addressing the concerns of older readers, when he asks ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s there to be afraid of?â⬠. By yielding no obvious response, these individuals are inclined to consider Voxiââ¬â¢s answer and consequently accept it. The writer alters the form of writing to be more personal, by noting that ââ¬Å"hot air balloons are alwaysâ⬠¦looking into my windows tooâ⬠. This is so as to subdue reader concerns for safety in light of technological advancements, by reminding them that he too is an ordinary member of society. By expressing his contempt attitude towards the risk involved with ââ¬Å"digital revolutionâ⬠, concerned readers are comforted and are less inclined to oppose the writer. Voxi later described individuals who reject technology as ââ¬Å"losersâ⬠, implementing a direct attack on people who oppose his contention. Such action is done so as to direct readers to feel part of the majority, playing on the instinctual desire of humans to belong. The strategic placement of this assault at the conclusion of the opinion piece, infers that this last technique is aimed towards readers who are yet to comply with the writerââ¬â¢s argument. Through both inclusive and attacking language, the writer evokes compliance from readers, by allowing them to relate to him and feel pressured to accept the contention. By including flaws the writer gains reader support as they are not mislead and denied information, further reinforcing the argument that the ââ¬Å"digital revolutionâ⬠should be embraced, and without it you wonââ¬â¢t be ââ¬Å"in touch and connectedâ⬠.
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