Rozważania o drukarstwie (1553)

Abstract

The source text of an Italian utopian author, Anton Francesco Doni (1513-1574), written to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the printing press, mirrors the spirit of the epoch and presents opinions about advantages and disadvantages resulting from the invention of Gutenberg’s press. Authentic personages take part in the dialogue; the immediate reason for their discussion is an argument that “printing caused harm to talented people”. In their opinions about print, anxiety and disappointment intertwine with enthusiasm for the “black art”. Eventually, commonly expressed respect for the achievements of Aldus Manutius results in the victory of the latter opinion. For us, Doni’s dialogue is a historical testimony of the contemporary reaction to the exchange of cultural paradigms, which is particularly relevant today, in the times of the great media revolution.