Write responsibly LINKEDIN | 9 OCTOBER, 2016

This is the era of the amateur writer. As writing gets more democratized, thanks to social media and blogs, the pen has once again become mightier than the sword (or should we say bombs?). In the past, writers had to observe some very strict rules on language usage, grammar, public topics, decency, authenticity etc. Many of these rules are changing with the freedom provided by new media. You may not need any formal training to write. It’s like walking or running. In Nike’s language, just do it.

What are the implications of this? How does one distinguish between literary grade and tabloid stuff and all the 50 shades of grey in between? Topics don’t need expertise. ‘Antarctica experience for those who never went’ can be written by anyone like me, who hasn’t been there. There are more commentators of the US election than there are registered party men! Opinions fly thick and fast – it’s not necessary to research, assimilate and distil inferences or cite evidences. Readership (new term – eyeballs!) is guaranteed as you are invariably part of some mailing lists, WhatsApp groups, social media friend circles or all of these.

Authenticity is a big loser. Hearsay and conjectures blur with facts. Attribution is casual. “Old sayings” or “anonymous quotes” have found new fathers – Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln or an iconic businessman. Devious edits of originals go unchallenged. Peter Drucker is a remarkable man. He puts out quotes from his grave.

My old English teachers will be squirming wherever they are – there are no sacrosanct usages any more (dos or don’ts). Vocabulary is created every day, with conjoint words. Auto-correct is a valid excuse for shocking outcomes. Language decency is under stress as crudity, vulgarity and profanity thrive. Defamation laws don’t seem to apply to social media or blog writing (or do they?). Linguistic elegance is no more a valued skill. There is a seamless mixing of the casual and the formal tone. Spellings are confusing – despite the ingenious coining of the term ‘mid-Atlantic’, to describe the unholy (but accepted as practical necessity) fusion of English and American versions!

Everything has not gone south though. People are writing more from their hearts. Personalities are being shaped by their writing. There is more realism and contemporariness in today’s content. Emotions and unchained expressions are more out in the open. Fears and cynicisms have an effective outlet. There is more diversity of opinions. Writers are starting young, still unspoilt by negative influences.

But we need a balance. And language preservation. Write responsibly, lest the next generation of writers develop permanent lesions in their styles.