Journal 9

To be a writer in the 21^st century does not necessarily mean that you have to be a published writer, or have a degree that says you are an expert in a particular field of literature or English.  Today being a writer is measured by how many other people build off the ideas that you present, as described my Lessig in “RW, Reviewed” Remix.  She explains how it takes so much effort to quote an author and that instead of an author being honored that someone would choose to quote their work, they are offended and believe that the person is trying to steal their work.  In today’s 21^st century digital writing, people do not necessarily have to quote someone’s writing.  They can instead simply comment on someone’s post in order to add their own input to the ideas that are put on the Web.  This is why being a writer in the 21^st century is dependent on how much feedback you receive from other people on the things that you may post on a blog or blog-like forum. 

            The introduction of Web 2.0 and digital technologies have definitely allowed for new ways of composing.  Composing now does not have to be a well thought out, methodical process.  Now someone can post a status at any time and receive almost instant feedback.  The technology of mobile smartphones also allows for this to be done with ease and represents just another advance in the methodologies that can be used to compose an everyday text. I found it very interesting when Lesig pointed out that the New York Times no longer defines what is important news, but instead, what is commented on or shared the most does.