The reorganisation (reorganization) of our written word

If we were adopting American spelling because it is somehow superior, or that by doing so it changes the meaning or context of the word - then that is a personal choice; but I find it frustrating that the growth in the use of American spelling is not because it is “better” but because people let their word processors do the thinking instead of firing up their own neurons to do a bit of work!

Surely in this global world it becomes more important to preserve those things that identify us and bring us together as a community?

Sue Butler from Macquarie Dictionary muses that we are moving to an international English where spellings from either British English or American English will be acceptable. If this is the case, must it be seen as inevitable that American spelling will prevail in the end? If we must accept “o-r-g-a-n-i-z-a-t-i-o-n”, are we equally obliged and willing to accept “my car t-i-r-e is flat”, “the data was a-n-a-l-y-z-e-d” or “personal c-h-e-c-k-s are not accepted as payment for goods”?

After all - spelling bees might be prominent in American schools, but you will recall that an official press release from the American White House spelled the name of our most-famous city "S-i-d-n-e-y”.

Are we happy with this? What does it say about our society, our culture, our identity and our language? Do we care?