Communication:
* Oral traditions reign supreme: Stories, history, knowledge, and even laws would be passed down through generations by word of mouth. This would lead to variations and potential inaccuracies.
* Limited communication over distance: Messages would have to be carried by messengers, which would be slow and unreliable.
* Difficulty in establishing clear contracts or agreements: Without written documentation, agreements would be based on trust and memory. Disputes would be difficult to resolve.
* Limited access to information: Information would be confined to the knowledge of individuals and communities, making it hard to learn from the past or share discoveries widely.
Culture and Society:
* Less emphasis on formal education: Without written texts, formal education would likely be limited to practical skills and oral knowledge.
* Different forms of art: Painting, sculpture, and music would likely flourish, as these forms could preserve and convey information visually and aurally.
* Stronger community bonds: With less reliance on external information, people might be more connected to their communities and traditions.
* Potentially slower pace of innovation: Without written records of inventions and discoveries, the progress of technology and science would be significantly slower.
The Impact on History:
* Different historical records: Our understanding of history would be based primarily on oral accounts, archaeological evidence, and perhaps some forms of visual art.
* Potentially less emphasis on individual figures: Without written biographies or historical accounts, individuals would be less prominent in history.
* Less knowledge about ancient civilizations: We would likely have limited knowledge of ancient civilizations without written records.
Overall, a world without writing would be dramatically different. It would be a world reliant on memory, oral tradition, and face-to-face communication.
It's important to note that this is just a hypothetical scenario. There could be many unforeseen consequences of living in a world without writing.