Brandt Response

Brandt argues that vast importance exists in writing in the knowledge economy, as it is a means of communicating but can also be a product itself. Regulation exists because of the power of writing and literacy hold in certain settings, and as the knowledge economy expands, so does this oversight. In today’s world, adaptability is crucial, considering the constant retraining in jobs and ever changing environment as a result of new technologies. 

Something from Brandt’s article that stuck with me is the idea that individuals today possess more knowledge in the past, which seems like a good thing but increases the stakes for writers and also leads individuals to believe they are all-knowing, thus decreasing their trust in and value towards figures of authority/professionals. This to me brings up certain movements/ideologies, including anti-vaxxers, flat-earthers, and climate change non-believers. These groups manipulate information, believe “fake news” or blow one instance/story out of proportion, such as the (incorrect) idea that vaccinations cause autism. Because of the climate of today’s society, the ability to circulate information quickly online, and the permanence of that information, writers today have an increased level of responsibility to report and write factually and with possible repercussions in mind. While writers should not be held back by the possibility of ignorance or presence of trolls, it is important for them to consider the means in which they present their information and all of the abilities that accompany it. This discourse makes me wonder if writers are more concerned with criticism and responses, or possible backlash, when things are so immediate in this online world- does it influence their writing or are they simply concerned with communicating their message? Is “cancel culture” perceived as a threat? Is it intimidating that one article or extreme view can be circulated throughout the whole nation and effectively tarnish the writer’s name or even end their career?

Though this is not Brandt’s main focus in her article, that one line in the reading was incredibly interesting to me. With it comes the added pressure of an individual’s writing reflecting upon the company/brand, or the weight that a document holds, especially in legal or legislative contexts. The entirety of this article made me consider writing in a more broad capacity and denoted that with increased importance comes added pressure and higher stakes.