Check and Balances

After endless oral discussions, writing rambling blogs and essays, and reading lengthy publications printed and digitally, it is apparent that no form of knowledge supersedes another; they all possess nonpareil authority in a complicated web of checks and balances. To exclude one form of knowledge and hold it above the others would cause an imbalance detrimental to holistic knowledge of the future.

Each form of knowledge is superior to another, but only in its own rightful time and place. This, however, does not qualify its ability to overrule and replace another.  Unfortunately we may be too ignorant to understand this, because we all too often restrictively operate in our own paradigm and neglect to see beyond our own limitations. We generally are fastened to the idea that our way of doing things is the best way. For example, we may be too enveloped with editing and publishing to look up (so to speak) and see how much more beneficial it is to publish digitally. So instead of being able to reach millions, our hard work, sweat, and tears may only end up being cited several times. This same concept applies to the four forms of knowledge: folk, oral, written, and print.

Print knowledge has spread like wildfire since the invention of moveable type. This invention ended the long tedious hours spent transcribing the Bible, and for the first time made it widespread and accessible. This increased the literacy and education more than ever before. I do not doubt that this greatly contributed to the development of schools, colleges, and universities. As you can see, printing knowledge’s most influential time was from the 1400’s until now, where the technological age has replaced paper with intangible forms such as the internet. However, even today, printed knowledge still has its place, a place where it is superior to all other forms of knowledge. For example, the printed version of the scriptures holds more valuable than a digital copy. There is something about holding and feeling it in your hands, and reading it personally yourself. That experience cannot be replaced by any other medium.

Written knowledge also has its time and place. Although it has been out-shot by print in terms of its reachability and its practicality, it cannot be replaced. The artistic beauty that is so uniquely defined by the hand that created it, whether on paper, on stone, on bamboo, on clay, or on any other medium, is irreplaceable. Even in this day and age there is so much more meaning when things are hand-written. For example, receiving a letter from a friend or loved one evokes more emotion than receiving a card from the store. Perhaps this is because of the work that goes into writing a letter rather than receiving an email or a text message. Or maybe it is because you are able to see the personality of that person through their handwriting, which connects you in a way. These are things that cannot be replaced even with the variety of fonts you can find on the computer. It is so important to keep this knowledge alive (and not forget it in rapidly increasing technological age) so that not only can we keep the artistic talents alive, but also so that we can better understand our past and our origins. Those who have never had to write a long passage out on paper, will not understand, comprehend, or appreciate how difficult it is to write an entire book by hand. These people are more likely to take things out of context written in the past because they do not understand how easy it is to make a mistake when translating or transcribing a document, and thus, they separate themselves from history, leaving behind so many things uncovered.

Oral knowledge is often argued to be too informal to hold any validity. It may be true that someone saying something has less power and authority than a printed or written document, but who says it is invaluable? Oral knowledge is powerful and has authority in its right time and place. General Conference, King Benjamin’s speech, LDS Devotionals, temple ordinances, prayer, all have power beyond anything written. My personal opinion is that when words are vocalized, you can feel the emotions behind it. This makes it powerful when spoken with the right authority. However, when listening to an audiotape, the meaning and emotions are often lost. To me, this means that if it is not spoken with authority, then interaction is a necessary component. This interaction invites collaborative setting where information can be tossed back and forth as ideas are generated. This brainstorming is often an important necessary before knowledge is written down or published!

Last but not least Folk knowledge, too, is vitally important. And I am not using the word “vitally” lightly. It is the very key to our survival. Without folk knowledge, we would not have the other three. And this is why: if we did not have to survive and have the need for relationships, then we would not have language. If we did not have language we would not have writing. If we did not have writing, we would not have printing. Therefore, we would not have printing if it were not for folk knowledge. History aside, how did we learn how to speak? Folk knowledge. How did we learn how to read? Through folk knowledge. How did we learn how to write and type? Folk knowledge. Everything we have today can be accredited to this.

One type of knowledge without the other would leave us incomplete. For each one has been the foundation for another.