<p>So I hate essay topics that deal with technology... bleh. But I understand that technology topics are very prominent in SAT Essays so I'm dealing with it. </p>
<p>This topic is from Gruber's 14th edition:</p>
<h2>Prompt: "... John argues [from a quote as usual] that we do not have change our traditions to keep pace with technological changes. To what extent do you agree or disagree with his position?"</h2>
<p>One of the most preserving aspects of humanity is tradition, for it is only time itself that can destroy an enduring custom that can potentially last centuries or even milleniums. However, as we meticulously analyze the course of the human race, we realize that perhaps it is not time itself that destroys a thousand-year tradition but rather the technological changes of time that alter the implication and application of our beliefs. The invention of the printing press in the Middle Ages demonstrate the power of technology to force ourselves to change our traditions to keep pace with the continuous progress of life. </p>
<p>During the European Renaissance in the 15th Century, Johannes Guttenberg invented a technological innovation that changed the world in a myriad of ways. His printing press utterly decimated the governing view at that time that education was a privilege given only to the rich and powerful. With hundreds and even thousands of books printed because of his creation, the lower class was soon able to obtain the once rare books and learn how to read. Although not a tradition by its own definition, reading had always been the dignified custom for the upper class ever since such status was formed in society.</p>
<p>Equally as important however, was the defamation of a centuries-old religion that eventually catalyzed sweeping changes throughout entire continents. With the invention of the printing press, more books were published, and the most popular of all books ever since the dawn of the printing press is the Bible. As more and more people learned to read the Holy Book, they soon discovered the fallacies of the contorted Catholic religion and the blasphemous traditions and practices that they had so blindly followed for generations. Guttenberg's invention was an important factor for the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, a movement lead by Martin Luther that disrputed the power that had terrorized Europe for many years. THe knowledge from personally reading the Bible changed the course of history. Gone is the dictatorial papalcy; gone is the ancient traditions of Catholic practices that have defiled the purity of the religion. From the knowledge of the Bible, a new world was born, a world of progress and not stagnation. Thus the heretic Catholic traditions that have endured for so long were forced to be changed or, for some of them, eliminated to survive in this new world. </p>
<h2>Guttenberg's printing press is ocnsidered one of the most innovative technological invention ever made. It demonstrates the power technology has to force us to change our traditions, wehther ancient or recent, in order to survive. Traditions stagnate and technology constantly improves so they would always come head to head whenever something new is discovered or invented. And in order to survive in a never relenting world, we are often forced to surrender our most closely held beliefsto the juggernaut of technology. </h2>
<p>This is my first essay in months (ugh junior year) so I went a few minutes overboard but I'm ready to bring down my time to fit the alloted minutes.</p>
<p>So... any critiques? Scores?</p>