To describe the success of the technological breakthrough developed by Dr. V at Aravind Eye Hospital

To encourage eye surgeons throughout the world to model their methods after those used by Dr. V

To celebrate the work of an eye surgeon in India and describe the author's experience as a volunteer

To show differences between the way eye surgery is performed in the East and in the West

the author experienced something positive as a result of his blindness

the author's life would have been better if he had kept his sight

many blind people are grateful they do not have sight

blind people deserve empathy and understanding

It motivated him to create a game that did not require sight.

It reminded him of the fun activities that he could no longer enjoy.

It reinforced his belief that people are often thoughtless.

It offered him the chance to try playing a traditional game.

Words develop new definitions.

Sentence constructions no longer follow specific rules.

Spoken language becomes more literal.

Formal writing and spoken language become more similar.

Of course no one thinks about that consciously.

Texting, far from being a scourge, is a work in progress.

Texting has long been bemoaned as the downfall of the written word, "penmanship for illiterates," as one critic called it.

No one talks like that casually-or should.