What It Means to Forward

In Harris’s novel, Rewriting, his chapter Forwarding is exactly what it sounds like. It is the ideal that writing and speech aren’t meant to be the final argument or have the final word, but to push the “discussion” forward. Whenever you write about a past author, or some article you are simply “forwarding” what they wrote and adding on to it. A noteworthy problem with this methodology of writing and discussing is that things get over extended, or lost in translation. Sometimes a writer may borrow a person’s work and “overextend” their message or misinterpret what was truly meant. Furthermore, while forwarding one’s works you might lose the true meaning of what was being debated or discussed.

            A perfect example of forwarding is the lively topic that is Peyton Manning on the site Yardbarker.com. Many weeks ago a tweet by Rob Lowe sparked the rumor that Peyton would no longer be with the Colts. This was way before any bad blood between Manning and Irsay (the owner) occurred. Somewhere along the lines Rob Lowe forwarded what he had heard from someone else, who may or may not have been a reliable source. Simply by posting a short sentence or two, the nation was in an uproar. Lowe continued the speculation of what would become of Peyton Manning, typical of the belief behind forwarding. The problematic aspects of forwarding relate perfectly to this situation. Lowe may have heard something from someone, and overextended the true meaning; therefore, assuming Peyton Manning would no longer be a member of the Colts.