What we want from writing is cognitive automaticity, the ability to think as fast as possible, freed as much as can be from the strictures of whichever technology we must use to record our thoughts. This is what typing does for millions. It allows us to go faster, not because we want everything faster in our hyped-up age, but for the opposite reason: We want more time to think.
Ann Trubek, “Handwriting is History”
(via Christopher Butler)
Though I cling to the nostalgia of handwriting and still get great satisfaction from seeing elegant, cursive writing, I confess that mine has devolved over the years to the point of embarrassment. I simply don’t write enough to maintain the skill, save the occasional notes scribbled in my Moleskin during meetings or the annual batch of Christmas cards — less legible every year.
But to Trubek’s main point, I’m not sure I agree. Does it truly allow us more time to think, or do we merely rush on to the next thought or task with the time saved by typing?
Source: chrbutler
