Comment by haritha-j
4 days ago
The core idea is really solid, but isnt half the article about finidng the right type of paper and taking care of fountain pens? I don't think my setup (free notebooks from events + ballpoint pens) will reduce yourt brain activity compared to a fancy fountain pen and fancy italian paper.
I have found writing even on my ipad with apple pencil to be wayy better than typing on my keyboard.
I am thinking of switching to a supernote which allows me to write on a paperlike surface, but mainly because it is free from distractions and notifications on an ipad.
i mainly like the idea of a blank canvas and writing and rearranging thoughts on that canvas - which pen and paper do not allow.
That's not the point he was making at all though.
He wasn't saying "buy a fancy pen, it's better for your brain".
The positioning is "every time people hear that I write on paper, they come up with all these reasons why it won't work for them (crap/smudges/etc). These are the things I do so that's not a problem for me"
I can write code just fine on a random Dell membrane keyboard I got for free, but it's much more satisfying to use a mechanical keyboard. It seems like the same idea applied to hand writing, and I think you're more likely to do more of something if it's enjoyable.
I wonder to what extent these habits or quirks are self-learned or "self-imposed" (probably the wrong word). I guess, it gets us in the comfort zone to free up our brain energy to perform more important tasks.
I don't think there is an argument in the article that contradicts you. The part about choosing a pen is to point out that pencils and cheap ballpoint pens require more effort than fancy fountain pen. Which is true, but it is mostly commentary about "writer's cramp".
The part about choosing paper is about fountain pens being blotchy where better quality paper helps.
You can write with anything and on anything, but just like how it is much more enjoyable to type on a fancy mechanical keyboard it is more enjoyable to write with fancy fountain pen. Although I prefer gel pens since they are just easier to have a bunch around.
Hard disagree on both accounts. Mechanical keyboards are obnoxious and tiring to use because of the insane travel. Fountain pens are nice when they work, but the ink evaporates, the nibs clog up, and accidentally bluing yourself is not uncommon among fountaineers.
To each their own. I love my mechanical keyboards and I have never had problems with fountain pens.
My guess is cheapest versions of each are the problem
Agree, the best part of writing by hand for me is that I can do it anywhere and anytime. Randomly during a hike or laying outside in my backyard, small notebook + pen is easy.
Fountain pen + fancy paper sounds like I am tied to a desk again. Stephenson is probably doing way more intense sit down grind out some pages type writing sessions though.
Don’t wait for the right equipment to start writing, _but_ there is a little joy in just splashing a little on a nice pen and nice paper. A few decades in life and I’ve assembled a set of multiple fountain pens, in different colours and sizes with different inks and colours. It adds to the fun like herbs add to a dish.
the point isnt that it is 'italian paper' (actually the high quality stuff is generally from france and japan), but the coefficient of friction of the paper is much reduced. It is not fancy as much as it is very well engineered