Different cultures take different approaches to the way they transmit knowledge. These varieties are often classified in two categories: oral and literary traditions.
An oral society is one in which knowledge is transmitted from person to person through speech. We can compare this to the children's game "Telephone," in which children pass along a message by whispering in each other's ear. There are several advantages to this approach. For example, through this method, people only need to memorize the main parts of a story, while being able to alter the details slightly. This requires a memorization that is less precise and more analytical. However, it can also lead to many inaccuracies and unintentional changes.
On the other hand, a literary culture tends to write information down. This allows people to seek out the source and read it without having to meet someone who can recite it to them. This ensures that the text remains the same throughout time. It also allows for more information to be stored. However, memorizing such a text is a more difficult task, as every word and detail needs to remain identical upon recitation. This would be the process a bard would have to follow when reciting The Odyssey.
Although each method would have a different impact on the information that is shared and the effects it has in society, there is no one single perfect method. They each come with advantages and disadvantages for the societies that practice them.
