Something I thought about is that in this article, she refers to a study done in 1983.
In 1983, I was not online. I never even touched a keyboard, in fact. I wrote with a pen or pencil.
Even with school, I didn't write half as much as I do now, either!
I have always been rather good in english- it was my strongest subject in school, and took the least effort.
But I have noticed, the last few years, that my writing has degraded.
I often switch the "n" and the "g" in words (sing becomes sign), "to" becomes "ot", "of becomes "fo".
These seem to be due to how fast I am typing! Then sometimes, if I am passionate about what I am trying to get out, I push a post button before taking
the time to read it and edit.
I used to go back and edit whenever I can, but lately I am doing it less. Because I feel I haven't as much time to spend- I have a busy life and my
computer breaks are limited.
Added to that, the amount of opinion or view I have has grown measurably through the years and with access to so much information.... I have more to
say.
If it was a matter of writing down one or two lines and correcting them, that wouldn't take much time, but when it is four paragraphs? That's a
different matter.
Thirdly, I have gotten used to reading others typos too, and learned that my mind adjusts fine to them. I read what they meant to say rather
effortlessly, and it doesn't disturb my comprehension in most cases (unless they are extreme, of course, with every word mispelled and grammar that
cannot be sorted out).
So I end up feeling like the important thing is that what I have to say is heard, not whether I mixed up a couple of letters here and there.
I've gotten less careful.
But I still take care when writing important letters, and do them correctly. But with the internet, writing joined into the catagory of "casual
exchange", which was mpstly spoken before. When we speak we do not use formal and perfect language either- that just seems anal ! Casual written
exchange has taken a bit of the same.
It doesn't have a lot to do with intelligence, IMO, except if you consider that the intelligent person may see it is not in their favor to give the
impression of trying to sound superior- in the long run, it is more beneficial to blend in.
edit on 4-11-2011 by Bluesma because: (no reason
given)