Today, more than at any time in the history of the world, it is important be able to read and write. This change has been brought about by the Internet, which we use for communication, to get our news, and to sell our products.
Millions of people communicate today through e-mail over the Internet. In the past, people would have face-to-face meetings or call one another on the phone; today they use e-mail and chat rooms. It is obviously necessary to read and write in order to participate in this technological revolution.
Today, one can subscribe to news and information services on the Internet. When you turn on your computer in the morning, you are given the headlines, financial news, sports scores, or social events that you requested. The news from television or radio is still useful, yet getting your news from the Internet is more efficient, since the news is tailored to your specific interests.
E-commerce also demands that people be able to read and write. Of course, the people who design retail Web sites must be able to express themselves clearly in writing for the potential customers to read the product descriptions. In the past, people could only go into stores and point to objects that they would like to buy. This physical approach to shopping does not require any special language skills.
The Internet will force us all to be literate not only in reading and writing, but also in using computers. Today we must be skilled readers and writers to be successful in this high-tech world.
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