They don't write 'em like they used to

A recent news article detailed a possible authentic copy of the Bixby letter (you can also see the text of the letter at the end of the article). Most people would know the letter from "Saving Private Ryan" (one of my favorite war movies...hmm, I'm digressing). The letter is purported to have been written by Abraham Lincoln's secretary, not Lincoln himself, although there is a great amount of debate on the issue.

Regardless who wrote it, the letter is the epitome of eloquence of the written word. It is very brief, consisting of only 4 sentences, but within those few words one can read empathy, understanding, condolence, praise and gratitude. Personally, the subtle shifts in syntax are the highlight of the letter. When you can use phrases like "...attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming..." and "...may assuage the anguish of your bereavement..." you know that you are at the top of your game as a writer.

Why am I bringing this up? Because of another news article. I worry this paradigm shift toward text messaging and the resulting corruption of the English language will, in the course of a decade or so, render people completely unable to construct such striking and thoughtful prose as the Bixby letter. Most people would rather write (and speak) in the equivalent of monosyllabic baby talk. How many thousands of years of human evolution and we're back to speaking like Ugg the caveman? Of course I could be overreacting. I mean, its not like television brought the collective IQ of the country down...? Oh shit, we're doomed.