Socrates vs. the Written Word (2011)

In Plato's Phaedrus, Socrates argues against the invention of writing through an Egyptian legend, claiming that written words will weaken memory and create the illusion of wisdom rather than true understanding. The passage demonstrates that skepticism toward new technologies—in this case, the written word—is a timeless human tendency that extends back to ancient philosophy. This supports the author's hypothesis that resistance to progress is a universal human trait rather than a response specific to modern innovations.