The document presents a collection of quotes from various educational conferences and publications spanning from 1703 to 1985. In each quote, the speakers express concern that students are becoming too dependent on new technologies for writing and calculation and are losing important life skills. Over time, the technologies referenced progress from slate to paper, ink, fountain pens, ballpoint pens, and eventually handheld calculators. The final passage acknowledges that while pens, pencils and calculators are still used, computers now further ease lives, and technological progress will likely always face criticism.