Blog Review:- Richard Branson "Bring Back the Pen"

I recently read a blog by Sir +Richard Branson, yes the Virgin tycoon, who has openly embraced technology. Who, has built an empire in the record industry and aviation and who, is a considerable backer in many tech start up businesses, see Tech start ups for an interesting look at some of these businesses.  Richard Branson, has voiced his concerns and thoughts on an article written in the Daily Mail regarding the Death of letter writing. Branson, makes reference to the fact that texting by teens is killing the art of letter writing.  He is shocked to note that one third of teens has never written a letter and that one in ten 13 to 19 year old's do not own a pen.  All of this is through the rise of technology and texting in particular.

Branson, finds this shocking and refers to the rise of the Ipod as a reason for the demise of his Virgin Megastore business. Could the rise of mobile phones and texting in particular be the demise of the pen? We are so influenced by technology and how it can help us in our daily chores, routines and education, that we are forgetting the basics! The true skill of hand writing.  More often than not, teens talk in text speech, which is proving detrimental to writing skills, like spelling and grammar.

The art and skill of writing should not be left to fade away in favour of smart phones, tablets and computers.  I am not an advocate of the technological devices available and believe that within my lectures, seminars and teaching we revert to true old fashioned pen and paper.

There is nothing wrong, in note taking, gathering thoughts and information to assist you in education and then type this up for assignments, this is now the norm! The type writer has been replaced by the computer. Don't let the smartphone replace the Pen!  Don't let hand writing and letter writing become a thing of the past either

There is a time and place for technology, however it should never be allowed to replace the fundamental skills we so desperately need to maintain. There is a need for the education hierarchy to stand up and take notice, that whilst we live in a technological age, we must maintain the true art of writing.

Richard Branson's blog is something, I will look to discuss in future lectures, along with the article in the Daily Mail and the campaign by Bic The Mission.

So lets begin, to go backwards and resurrect the PEN.... In the name of Education!  The irony of this blog, is that I am using technology to identify the PROBLEM!

http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/bring-back-the-pen
http://uk.businessinsider.com/18-tech-startups-backed-by-sir-richard-bransons-billions-2015-11
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3294452/Texting-teens-killing-art-letter-writing-never-pen-paper-rise-online-messaging.html
http://www.bicfightforyourwrite.com/mission