Technology at Its Finest

So I haven't blogged in awhile. I've just been enjoying all the new technology around me! Just kidding. I've pretty much been doing the same old stuff as usual, although there has been one new technological development that has captured my attention and delighted my soul: Pottermore.

I am a huge Harry Potter fan and have been since about third grade. I remember pretending to be a young witch during recess, casting spells and riding the Hogwarts express. Reading the books with my mom is a cherished memory of mine. When the movies came out, I felt like I had really been transported into the magical world. And now with Pottermore, the Harry Potter experience is enriched even further.

I feel like a kid in a candy store. I have a wand (Apple and Pheonix feather, 10 3/4 inches, quite flexible) and I'm part of a Hogwarts house (Hufflepuff--I was a bit surprised, but I'm learning to love it). I'm gaining insight into things I never knew about the stories, and the world feels like a brand new and exciting place!

I'm really impressed with Pottermore, not just because it's fun and awesome, but because it's different from anything else I've encountered on the Internet. This site isn't used solely to capitalize on the HP franchise (although I'm sure that's a nice perk!); it's used primarily to enhance the reader's experience, so that new generations of Potter fans (and old ones too!) can connect even more with the books. It's like pretending to be Harry on the playground, but it's on the computer instead. It's perfectly suited for this technological age. And the best part: it still encourages reading.

One thing I've learned from Pottermore and my recent experiences with technology is that it really doesn't matter what technology or medium you use--printed books, EReaders, movies, or others--as long as there is a way to truly connect with a story. That's what turns a small experience into a cultural phenomenon. Technology isn't bad as long as we use it to improve society and engage the next generation. If we need a site like Pottermore to get kids excited about reading, I'm all for it. And while I'm there, I'll reawaken my own sense of wonderment at the literary world around me.