Issue7【Triple Week】第2次练习by danielgao

danielgaoUID: 2604134

According to the speaker, the video recording has become a more important means of documenting contemporary life than written records because it provides an accurate and convincing recording way. Although I agree video provides a totally new and different way of recording life and has its specific advantages in documenting temporal and spatial events, we can not overlook the important role written records played in documenting statistical and quantitative information..


Admittedly, video record is more accurate and more convincing than written record in documenting physical life and phenomena. It is impossible for anyone, no matter how good an observer or how skilled reporter ,  to recount complete detail in events such as the winning goal of European Championship, a wonderful live concert  of Eason Chan, or the moment China win the hosting of Olympic Games. However, through the video camera we can easily capture, process, store and transmit all the events above.

Nevertheless, though video camera is superior to the written record when recording moving events, written records still advantageous to and more appropriate than video records in certain area. For instance, a video record is of no use in documenting statistical or quantitative information as well as describing legal matters or complex terms of a contractual agreement. What’s more, to the extent written record are more effective in documenting a person’s subject state of mind or thoughts of an event. \

On the other hand video cameras are not as popular as written records. Because video cameras are too expensive for most people, especially in the developing country, Moreover，the written document is a far more handy method of recording in many occasions. You might not able to use a video camera in some location which forbid to take photo, for example a military base, however you could still easily write down what you see and hear without being notice.

In the final analysis, the speaker’s claim overlooks the importance of written records, at least to some extent. The information in documents are often of great social value, and the document itself is usually considered authoritative in the future, particularly with respects to government. Therefore, even video camera provide accurate and vivid record of contemporary life nowadays, written documentation is still need to quantify, demystify and provide meaning to the world around us.