Journal response 2

When discussing the relationship between networks, writing, and materiality, it is important to think about how they first became interconnected. In “The Postal Age,” Henkin discusses how the postal network first started by making communication easily accessible and fast through the use of railroads, horseback, and the telegraph. By creating this system of transportation, writing a letter has been transformed into a fundamentally affordable activity. Without having an established network, it would be almost impossible to receive any piece of mail or package back then and even today. Networks have also given us the ability to spread information to a wider audience of people. For example, with social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter, we now have the ability to write down whatever is on our mind and broadcast it instantaneously in a medium that allows anyone to view it. In addition, with the advancement of technology new forms of materials were needed for communication purposes. Bazerman mentions this in “Letters,” when he talks about how expanding companies increased the need for internal and external communication. “At first the business letter carried out the necessary communications. The increased need for efficiency in keeping records and files generated by the expanding correspondence led to the development of printed forms, memos, reports, circulars, and other genres.” As a result, new technologies were developed such as typewriters, stencil duplicating machines, and carbon paper to help facilitate day to day office operations. Although technology has improved and methods for writing have changed, one thing still remains which is the relationship shared between networks, writing and materiality.