In a world with seemingly endless technological advancements, previously important skills of the past are becoming less necessary. Many jobs became unnecessary due to advanced machinery, and some people do not even have to drive their car anymore because it drives itself! Every year the human race ventures further and further into a world driven by technology. One of the earlier additions to the world of mindblowing tech was the (in)famous autocorrect. After its invention, the use of autocorrect has become a widespread phenomenon. It’s everywhere! As the years progress, so does the quality of the program. However, the technology’s very existence brings the question: does this mean knowing how to spell is unnecessary?

Looking at trends, when computers and machinery heavily assist aspects of life, the human beings that once filled those roles have become unimportant. Machine operated assembly lines is a great example. When Henry Ford first used the assembly line, people were still a key part to how it functioned. Today, people are a less important part. Autocorrect works the same way. If people do not know how to spell a word, odds are their phone will come up with an answer based on how they sounded it out. Even with autocorrect aside, pretty much every phone now has some sort of AI installed or a voice to text feature where people can speak the word directly into their phone. Computers are even coming around to the technology.

Thus the question remains, with the amazing tech the world has access to, is spelling becoming obsolete? The answer is not a simple one considering how different each person’s lives are.

“I think spelling is a really important thing to carry through your life,” says Chloe Nolan (‘21). “Though it’s not really the most necessary when you’re an adult because you’re not just writing essays.”

“I feel like spelling depends on what you do,” continues Erin Powers (‘20). “If I’m a construction worker, I’m not going to be writing essays on my work. But if I’m a writer, then it’s different.”

Looking towards the future, it does not appear that knowing to spell will be going out of fashion soon.