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Palimpsest

A History of the Written Word

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Palimpsest

Written by: Matthew Battles
Narrated by: Matthew Battles
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About this listen

Why does writing exist? What does it mean to those who write? Born from the interplay of natural and cultural history, the seemingly magical act of writing has continually expanded our consciousness. Portrayed in mythology as either a gift from heroes or a curse from the gods, it has been used as both an instrument of power and a channel of the divine, a means of social bonding and of individual self-definition. Now, as the revolution once wrought by the printed word gives way to the digital age, many fear that the art of writing and the nuanced thinking nurtured by writing are under threat. But writing itself, despite striving for permanence, is always in the midst of growth and transfiguration. Celebrating the impulse to record, invent, and make one's mark, Matthew Battles reenchants the written word for all those susceptible to the power and beauty of writing in all of its forms.

©2015 Matthew Battles (P)2015 Tantor Linguistics Media Studies Social Sciences World Writing, Research & Publishing Guides Ancient History Ancient Greece
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What the critics say

"Battles powerfully demonstrates that, though all forms of writing are imperfect, they have played a vital role in the cultures which have developed them." ( Publishers Weekly)

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A nice look at history of writing

I particularly like this professor. The content is accessable while having substance and it is delivered in an engaging, often entertaining way.

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