The Fear of Writing

In Derrida's interview he expresses his feelings on the power of writing. He talks about how when he is thinking about what he is going to write he becomes scared and believes he is a crazy man for thinking what he is thinking. If you think about writing as a whole, people use it to express their ultimate feelings. When a person says “put it in writing” it is usually referring to the idea that the word of mouth is not trust worthy but if that person writes it down then it cannot be changed. Even on all the police and detective shows they use writing as a way of truth. When someone pleads guilty they immediately need to make the criminal write it down. This makes writing extremely powerful because it is believed to hold the truth in words. People can easily tell a lie by changing what they heard or what they say, but when something is written it is too difficult to change. When writing is changed or there is forgery it is considered a crime. Students can get kicked out of schools for forgery! Changing of writing is no joke. While students are on topic, lets take into account papers. When a college student is discussing events in class it is easy to recite what someone else has said or believes. When speaking you do not have to cite yourself and say, “Billy said this last Tuesday”. However, when writing a term paper it is a MUST to cite your work other wise you are cheating! I agree with Derrida’s fear of writing because once words are written down I feel like it is set and stone and what’s said is said. I know for me I encounter this fear because I am not that good of a writer. I find it difficult to search for the right words to describe exactly what I’m trying to say in my head. It is much easier to speak and change your words then write a paper and have to decide right then and there what words you’re going to hand in. Are they good enough or does it sound like a three year old just wrote it? Derrida’s fear of writing is very common in most of my days. Writing has been turned into this ultimate power of words and truth. If you take texting into consideration, sometimes it is easier for a person to text you and express your feelings because they are writing it rather then saying it. But I know once I send that text I go “Oh no” and get that nervous feeling in my stomach. Written words can be saved forever and always be brought back for proof. Spoken language cannot. Spoken words can be twisted but writing cannot. That itself is a very intense feeling that causes a feeling of anxiety. Derrida expresses this power in his interview especially when he talks about what he writes is done. There is no going back to change what he said. For Derrida and many people that could be terrifying!