Nin 1

Daniel Min
ENGL 1101
Ms. Hinnant
12 September 2013
Literacy Narrative
Albert Einstein once said, It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has
exceeded our humanity. Although he was talking about the atomic bomb at the time, it is quite
nerve wrecking how true his quote is in todays society in regards to the Internet and the many
social networking sites that have risen up in popularity. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and
Instagram all have such big influences on mankind today to the point where people would waste
their entire day away by staying on these sites. Coming from my own personal experience, I can
say that the Internet and its many different social networking sites have taken a huge toll in my
life. I can recall days where I would lay on my cozy bed, wasting hours away by stalking people
on Facebook and watching kids twerk on Vine and retweeting hilarious hashtags on Twitter.
Social networking sites quickly became a daily part of my life and slowly but surely, the Internet
began to take such an immense charge that it began to influence the way I read, write, and speak.
Who would have expected? Social media sites and the Internet affect what I read and the
way I read. I would not have anticipated it if it had not been for this assignment but I am now
actually intrigued with how big of an influence these social networking sites are in many various
ways such as writing and communicating. When I am looking for something fun to read, I
usually check sites like Twitter to see what people are saying about the latest and most popular
books. I know many others would Google the reviews of books online and that many are
incapable of picking up a new book if they did not see a review online first. I am exactly the
Author
Comment [1]: Noie cieative title
Author
Comment [2]: goou use of quote!!
Author
Comment [3]: I like how you use these
examples to ielate to the ieauei.
Author
Comment [4]: Tiy to iewoiu anu make it
sounu moie iealistic anu believable.


Nin 2
same way and without realizing it, I have been like this since almost 8
th
grade. Without my
knowledge, I have been relying on social networks to decide for me whether a book is worth
reading or not, becoming its puppet as I lost my freedom to choose a book for myself. Because
of this habit, I am not as open when it comes to looking for a new book to read, as I always rely
on the Internet or some person on Facebook or Twitter to tell me which book is good.
When it comes to reading, a problem that I have is that I have no motivation to read.
After being on Twitter and Facebook for so long, I am accustomed to reading only small
meaningless posts that are quick and easy to read. Before I became connected with social
networking sites, I was an avid reader who was excited to finish new books every week.
However, because I am constantly reading texts and posts from Facebook and Twitter everyday,
I now cringe at the thought of reading something longer than three pages. In a way, social
networking has exceeded my passion for reading, thus leaving me feeling negatively about
reading and just indolent.
These social networking sites also seem to be a sort of plague when it comes to writing
for many people. One might think, Shouldnt people get better at writing since theyre writing
to people all the time over social networking sites? Well that would be true, if people were
using correct grammar and sentence structure, but that is not the case for most people. If one
were to scroll down my Twitter news feed, they would see than when its supposed to be
then, or u instead of you, and even made up words like boolin. Sometimes for me, when
I look through my Twitter feed, I feel like I am constantly degrading my knowledge as I continue
to scroll further down.
After joining these social networking sites, my grammar and writing have gone downhill
from there. Even during the SATs, I would catch myself using incorrect words such as gonna
Author
Comment [5]: uoou visual cieateu fiom
woius.
Author
Comment [6]: Seems a little ovei-
exaggeiateu.
Author
Comment [7]: You shoulu explain how it
exceeueu youi passion.
Author
Comment [8]: What uoes this woiu
mean.


Nin S
or even haha, making me wonder, what happened to me? Once I realized the potential harm
that these sites were causing to my writing, I began to use only correct grammar and spelling at
all times when using these social networks. From doing so, I noticed less grammar errors in my
essays and never saw words like hafta or cuz again, showing just how big of an impact
social networking can have on ones writing skill.
One of the biggest factors that social networking has an influence on is communication.
After social networking came into our world, new words that were created by the media followed
right behind as they spread to these networks. Many of us know terms like yolo or started
from the bottom now we here that usually originated from music. But these terms took their
spotlight on sites like Twitter and began to be used daily as they went from simple lyrics to an
everyday term. It is frightening how social networking sites have the power to bring new words
to life, leaving those without any social networks lost and confused. Even when talking with my
older sister, who does not use social networks, I would use terms like yolo or call her a troll
and I would get the same response: a blank stare. I believe that social networking is tearing
language and communication apart as it continues to alter the English language.
Not only is social networking adding new words to our communication, but also it is
deteriorating the need for verbal communication. With the existence of social networks, I find it
unnecessary to personally approach someone face-to-face to tell them something. Instead of
calling my mom to check how she is doing, I pull up Facebook and shoot her a chat. Even when
breaking up with a girlfriend, I would not have to go up to her in order to do so. I can simply just
pull up my Twitter and tweet her that we are through and save all the tears and drama for later.
Although that is not something I would do, I am just pointing out that the possibilities for
Author
Comment [9]: uoou peisonal expeiience.


Nin 4
communication are endless with the existence of social networks, thus ridding the necessity of
face-to-face communication.
In a way, I feel that social networks are a potential threat to our society today. They leave
me feeling like our generation is inferior in knowledge to past generations. From my personal
experiences, I can honestly admit that social networking has degraded my passion for reading,
my skills in writing, and my need for face-to-face communication. This leaves me wondering,
Why do I continue to use social networks? I believe Ralph Waldo Emersons quote is perfect
for an answer: There are many things of which a wise man might wish to be ignorant. I am
just too attached to the social networking world, thus making me an ignorant man.






Author
Comment [10]: Really like how tiue this
is in touay's society.
Author
Comment [11]: uoou use of quote again.
Author
Comment [12]: Enjoyeu how well you
ielateu youi essay to touay's geneiation.
Pioviueu a lot of examples anu backeu up
youi points. uoou job