Technology..good or bad?

One thing i like about school is the intellectual stimultation i recieve from my peers.
In english class today we discussed a lecture given by a professor who had visited the school.
I hadn't been present for that but i decided to still fully engage myself in the conversation.
There are a few older people in my class who's views are a little different then those of their younger counterparts.

We discussed technology and writing,how technology will soon replace the traditional writing that we are so accustomed too. As you would imagine,there were tons of different responses.
I myself feel that the basics of technology should be taught so those who are older and not so tech savvy wont feel left out and will be able to start at the basis and work their way up.I also feel as if more hands on writing and assessments should be done and taught in school.There is nothing like reading a good book,but i dont only limit myself to the library,im well rounded in the media and internet aspect. It is far too common as to not being able to find a person my age to hold a decent thought provoking conversation with. If ones vocab is more extensive than someone in their age range they are called "too smart" or "trying to make others feel dumb".What happened to all the critical thinkers?What is wrong with actually picking up a good book to read?Has technology warped our minds to where a person cant hold a conversation past hello and how are you and their interests???

Can the thinkers stand up?Can the intellectuals speak up?