Origami Productivity: Why I Don’t Want a Paperless Life
In Productivity by Skellie
Photo by /kallu
I love paper in all its forms and always have. In fact, if given the choice between a notebook and a web app to fulfill the same function, I’ll choose a notebook every time. I tried Google Calendar and didn’t like it. Instead, I have a plain old calendar that hangs above my desk. I’ve got a pen stuck to the wall with bluetac next to it, so it takes about two seconds to update. I tried Remember The Milk, but I found it to involve a lot of unnecessary complication when compared to writing items down on a slip of paper. But it’s portable, they say. Well, so is paper. It even works outside wi-fi hotspots.
I keep my work and life organized with the help of two Moleskines (one un-lined notebook, one weekly planner) and the aforementioned calendar. When I travel, I’ll drop the calendar. It doesn’t quite fit in my backpack.
That’s my productivity system. Because one may be needed, here is my defense of it.
Innovation? Not really
One of the weirdest web 2.0 developments I’ve observed is the invention of a whole bunch of organizational and productivity web apps that make simple tasks tricky.
You want to create a mind-map? Option 1: get one piece of paper and one writing implement. Create mind-map. Option 2: Navigate to mind-mapping website. Learn complicated process to create online mind-map. After 10-20 minutes, create a mind-map that doesn’t look like a dog’s breakfast. And congratulations, you’re done.
You want to create a to-do list? Option 1: take one small slip of paper and one writing implement. Write out to-do list and put in pocket or bag. Option 2: Navigate to RTM. Create or log into your account. Learn interface. Digitally enter and categorize tasks. To view your to-do list in future, make sure you’re near a working computer (and have a nice day).
There seems to be a newly dominant belief that using web apps for any task that can be completed with a paper and pen is an improvement on the latter. It’s as if we’ve wholly absorbed and accepted the 1990s hype that anything done with technology is a thing done better. In some cases, the exact opposite is true. Technology can add unnecessary steps to the path to completion and chain you to a computer. The question becomes: are we being more productive, or do we just feel like we’re being more productive?
When I’m working from where I want, I want to be able to function outside a laptop’s area of affect. I want to be able to know what I’m doing and where I need to be without booting up Firefox. I want to feel like my life and business haven’t gone haywire whenever wi-fi isn’t working, or when the local internet cafe is unexpectedly closed. I want to be able to write down ideas, plans and goals without lugging a 5.0 pound piece of machinery wherever I go. I’d to be able to leave technology at home sometimes and still succeed as a self-employed person.
For me, origami productivity means more freedom.
Tried and tested by history
A simple notebook has been the single organizational and productivity tool of some of the world’s greatest thinkers. I don’t need to name them, and you will have your own list of names.
Maybe they were on to a good thing?
Photo by OiMax
Escape the screen
The computer screen as life-portal locks your brain into one way of functioning. Using a notebook forces you to change the way you express and process information while you’re interacting with it. Your ideas aren’t constrained by rigid code and parameters, variables you can change and variables you can’t. If you want to be truly creative, the simple act of using a pen and paper will help you break out of a linear thinking mode.
My advice isn’t to abandon using technology which aids productivity and organization. Google Calendar, for example, is probably a lot more versatile than my Haiku calendar — but I like the Japanese artwork.
When performing simple tasks that would take a few seconds to do on paper, however, technology is a time-sink.
My personal system isn’t perfect, and while I’m not going to recommend an old-school calendar to you, I do think every person — from you, to your kids, to your grandma — should have one master notebook for ideas, scribbles, thoughts and brainstorming. I have a thing for Moleskine notebooks because they’re well-constructed, highly durable and kinda stylish — at least I think so. This one is probably my most prized posession.
I’m wondering if I’m the only person who feels this way. Do you practice origami productivity too?
(Though about calling it origami-nization. Then thought better of it.)
February 5th, 2008
Today, I was talking about getting back to family roots with my mother (she wants to move. I want to keep the house in the family). I swept a hand out at the acres of snow-covered forest and said, “Why would you want to go into a complicated city life when you have all this? I’d give my last shirt to live in a world so simple, where you can just enjoy a day.”
“Because it’s all about progress,” she answered. “Days where life was simple are over and done.”
It’s interesting. One person’s progress is another person’s regression. So… I think I’ll join you on that pen and paper.
But can I keep my Gmail, at least?
February 5th, 2008
Some time ago, I thought I’d try a PDA - it was a Palm Zire. I went through the motions to learn grafitti, but found it easier of course to enter things via Outlook and then sync to the Palm.
(My brain, of course, thought, “this is efficient?”)
Then came the day I got a new computer. I had, of course, lost the CD that contained the software needed to sync the thing with Outlook, and to my surprise, Palm didn’t seem to offer it for download from their site.
WHAT?!?!?!?
It was then that I switched to paper, finally settling on a pocket-sized Moleskine and a Hipster PDA. The Palm has since been “recycled”…
February 5th, 2008
I am with you here - it just seems like the act of writing things down on pieces of paper that are in front of my face is more effective than putting things in a web app that is maybe not always open and not as in my face. I use technology where I find that it actually helps, but I still go the paper route when I think it is a better method for me personally.
February 5th, 2008
Wow! I’m not alone.
I keep a notebook with me all the time. Jotting down ideas and using post-it notes keeps your ideas organized and movable.
Before I blog online, I set up a story board in my notebook. Your blog entry should flow like a well written story. We are wired for this. By sketching my ideas down I can see how they all will fit together.
You and your readers may enjoy Garr Reynolds book PresentationZen.
February 5th, 2008
I’m a web programmer, 2.0 nut, and confessed Technophile. I have accounts with all the big ones - RTM, Outlook, Google, Basecamp, Highrise, Jott, Twitter, etc….However, I went back “Analog” last year, aka, Franklin Covey planning system, and couldn’t be more happy. There’s definitely something to be said for the convenience of low-tech solutions! Software is good for collaboration, no doubt, but the ability to write, draw, and express fleeting ideas on paper has no substitute, as far as I’m concerned. Way to go against the grain!
February 5th, 2008
I don’t use any techno-organizational tools. I use a wall calendar to schedule meetings and project due dates, and anything else that needs to happen on a particular day.
I use a Mead memo pad to write down my to-do list for each day and I cross each item out once I finish it.
As you hinted at, there’s often too much planning about planning.
February 5th, 2008
<3 my moleskine. I feel that I brainstorm things much better by just writing them in a notebook than typing ideas in a wordprocessor. When I’m doing it on a computer I tend to judge my ideas more instead of just writing everything that comes to my head.
February 5th, 2008
While I appreciate your post and certainly understand. Some of us enjoy working the paperless route. In fact, I like the paperless office concept so much, I try not to use any paper. While I do enjoy a good ruled notebook to jot down ideas while away from the computer. It is the computer and all it offers that enables me to do all I do.
February 5th, 2008
I’m with you on this one, Skellie. I think trusting one’s important tasks and projects to web apps borders on the insane. As you say–what happens the day you can’t connect to the internet, for whatever reason? (Much as I enjoy reading Gina Trapani’s stuff on the Lifehacker web site, I think she’s nuts for being so commited to the Google world.)
I like Circa notebooks because I can rearrange the pages any way I like. I keep one in my purse, one on my desk, and another much larger one in the bookshelf beside me, for keeping track of projects. When it comes to reminders and to-dos, writing stuff down is just so much faster than trying to computerize it.
When I find good advice on the web that I want to remember, I copy/paste it into one of several Word documents I maintain for reference. Every so often I print out the latest batch of pages and put them into a 3-ring binder. I have a binder full of blogging ideas, a binder full of writing tips, a binder full of information about my domain and my web sites, and so on. When the information is out of date, I remove it from the binder and delete it from the document.
Let’s keep on scribblin’.
February 5th, 2008
I find writing in a notebook also allows me to flip back and forth to different sections, look at unfinished pieces, or even ones where I have yet to begin (other than writing down a good title for a post idea, for instance).
Being creative then becomes more “or…ganic” rather than needing to click a mouse and use the keyboard.
I’ll have to check out moleskins — the cheap office depot pocket-sized notebook I have gets all bent out of shape.
However, I do love my Zebra F301 COMPACT pen, though. Highly recommended for portability — writes fine, too.
February 5th, 2008
I don’t like the feeling that comes with being stuck or tied to a laptop. It becomes obsessive. There is freedom that comes from the writing things down process. It accesses the other areas of our brain that house creativity and intuition.
I have even found that when I feel too confined with the yellow legal pad, a Big Chief Tablet works wonders.
February 5th, 2008
I love my computer and I’m addicted to gadgets. I’m also fascinated of all the web-application and possibilities. But: After a long search, where I tried everything, I switch completely back to paper. I use my two little moleskines (one for ideas and my MITs, the other is my weekliy agenda) and my big moleskine (full with mindmaps: notes of meetings, summarys of books or papers etc.).
I like the feeling of my moleskines and I love nice pens. As I’m a lazy guy, I need a system where I can write down my ideas quickly and easily. It takes too long for me with a PDA or a web application.
February 5th, 2008
@ James: I think you and I both can keep it — unless we can find a paper equivalent to Gmail? I’m not sure snail mail cuts the mustard as a replacement ;-).
@ Brett Legree: I sold my Palm on eBay about a month ago. I love how much time and energy was poured into developing the tech that would allow you to, holy moly, write on the screen! Don’t we have paper for that? ;-).
@ Alisha: I very much agree. I love technology and find that it makes many things easier — but when it only serves to over-complicate, that’s when it’s got to go.
@ Kelly & Curt: I like your storyboarding idea, and I’ll have to check out the book.
@ Jeff Foster: I agree — if you need to collaborate, digital is the way to go. If you’re a lone ranger, however… :).
@ Jesse Hines: That’s a great way to put it. It gets to the point where people are trying to be more productive at productivity!
@ Jeremy Davis: I couldn’t agree more — I feel exactly the same way. Brainstorming on screen is painful. For whatever reason, my Moleskine encourages more creativity (maybe because we’re used of judging typed words by harsher standards — kind of like how grammatical errors stand out more in writing than when we speak).
@ Grant: Of course — I’m not trying to argue against the use of technology, I just wanted to explain why it’s not always for me. But I certainly admire those who can get the most out of it :-).
@ Infmom: Loved your comment. I also worry about the same thing sometimes. Is it wise to have our whole lives and everything we do committed to the computer?
Your paper productivity system sounds a whole lot more organized than mine ;-).
@ Nez: Moleskines are kinda expensive, but if you don’t go through more than a few a year, I think it’s worth it. The Zebra pen sounds cool… I’ll look it up on Amazon.
@ Corey: You can probably guess that I feel the same way. There’s a sense of security that comes with knowing that you don’t depend on a myriad of other forces to have access to your stuff. For example: what if web app X goes bust and all their data is deleted? Or if there’s no power? Or no web access? There are too many variables outside our control, for one thing. I also think people who only store their passwords digitally are just asking for trouble, for the same reasons.
@ Ivan: I think we’re the same in that respect. I’ve tried most of the web apps and found that I like paper better. Now I’m running Gmail and Google Reader. I also use Tumblr sometimes — there’s not really a paper equivalent to that ;-).
February 5th, 2008
Hi!
It’s interesting that you say a notebook helps you break out of a linear thinking mode - actually my single objection to notebooks is that they force you into that mode!
Whenever your thoughts branch, there’s never space to branch on that page anymore (you can’t insert a new paragraph :)). So I end up scribbling “also see page 19″ between two lines.
Whenever you want to read back some notes, your index only gets you to/near the right page, so you end up linearly scanning through stuff you weren’t looking for (distracting). I really would love a search function that drops me at the right line.
Nonetheless, for me, nothing beats the paper notebook, yet. It’s always available (unlike your laptop) and has reasonable input speed (unlike a PDA). If someone comes up with a killer electronic device though, I wouldn’t be very loyal to the notebook!
February 5th, 2008
Good post! I agree that too many productivity web apps fail to efficiently mimic their corresponding paper originals without being more complex. However, I started using Remember The Milk a few weeks ago and I’m really liking it.
That being said, I keep a paper calendar and try to always keep a small notebook and pen on me. Moleskines are a bit out of the college student price range.
February 5th, 2008
@James - if you keep that property, I’ll come and farm crops on it - anybody got a tractor for sale?
February 5th, 2008
@ Brett - Only one acre of vegetable garden available. (Yes, that’s a big-ass garden, folks.) Also an overgrown apple orchard with plum trees. The rest is bush, my friend. Lotsa bush. Oh, and swamp. Oh, and there’s a lake where the beavers dammed the creek… splits the land in two, in fact. But yes, an industrious man could indeed saw the woodlot, sell it, plow and farm. I’d sell to you. You care
@ Grant - Point, and yes, when I can avoid paper easily (like file storage), I try to. I also recycle envelopes and write on the back of them.
@ Nez - My favorite pen has to be the cheapest Bic. The one that comes 24 to a bag for $2? Love ‘em.
February 5th, 2008
@ James - it sounds very beautiful indeed - I’ll give you whatever you are asking, plus a case of your favourite Quebec liquor
Now I just need to learn about logging, and farming…
February 5th, 2008
Love those moleskin notebooks, Skellie.
As a lover of paper, I couldn’t survive without paper notebooks as my first line of creativity. It is there that I brainstorm, jot down ideas, and flip back and forth between pages for inspiration.
My laptop is my second. I can’t believe how much my life has changed since I got my first laptop 7 years ago. It allows me to interact with my world and live technologically and fluidly, integrating my learning and work with living freely.
As a professional writer and a lover of the written word, I find ink on paper (yes, paper, not screen) to be a source of inspiration in and of itself. A child of a librarian, nothing is better to me that the smell of a new notebook, fresh and unused, or an unread paperback book.
Maya
February 6th, 2008
I think simple is better always and without exception.
Technology can be seductive, so I apply the acid test: Will it let me do more or do the same more easily?
Web apps trying to replace paper are just silly. Use computers for what they are good at - organising information, connecting with others more cheaply than phone calls and stuff like that.
February 6th, 2008
I just discovered Moleskins last month! (And was then a little embarrassed since –according to the insert– moleskins have been the preferred notebook for many a writer.
Anyway, I have a tiny one in my purse for spontaneous blog ideas, and two medium ones for notes on my current kit.
I’m a “concrete random” thinker, so I need to get messy in the brainstorming stage (hence paper) and then get organized in the writing stage (thank you computer…).
Thank goodness for both…
February 6th, 2008
I like both. I carry two different sized Moleskines and I love flipping through them later to sort of do “life directional assessments.”
But I’m also completely addicted to IWantSandy for reminders. The down side to paper is, it doesn’t make a little noise and send you a message that says “Hey, idiot, you have a meeting in a half hour!” at the appointed time.
You might like diyplanner.com which is a whole site dedicated to paper-based planning.
February 6th, 2008
I’m a fan of using paper for things that are quicker to do so. In classic hipster pda style, my to do lists are on index cards, I make all my at work notes in A5 spiral bound notebooks, and have an A6 notebook in my bag. Mindmapping on the computer is not really possible - mindmap programs are great for writing things up afterwards so that you can share them more easily with other people.
I keep my calendar on Outlook at work (accessble elsewhere via webmail) because it’s so much easier to work with other people in my company if we all have diaries accessible online. I like it because it does reminders, and you don’t have to cross things out to move them.
February 6th, 2008
@James: True about the cheap ballpoints — I remember them being $0.89 a dozen.
What I like about the Zebra COMPACT is it folds down to less than 4 inches, but, opened, is “full size” at 5.25″.
February 6th, 2008
@ Nez - Imported to Canada from the U.S. We pay premium for our Bics
February 6th, 2008
Even on the computer, one of my favorite tools is Windows notepad. It’s not hi-tech, but it’s a quick and easy way to save ideas for later.
February 6th, 2008
There’s just something about paper. The texture, weight and overall idea itself. I use a couple of Moleskines as well, and their larger cahier notebooks and a Moleskine planner. Light and easy to throw in my bag. I use some custom made to-do templates, time tracking templates for clients and a few other paper tool, but mostly it’s just index chards and Moleskines.
I do use Google Calendar and my phone’s calendar to set reminders of specific events so I can get an alarm to jog my memory. Paper systems are great, but they don’t jump up in your face to remind you of important things. You have to have a solid review process in place to make sure you don’t miss anything important.
February 6th, 2008
I have a hybrid approach.
My calendar is on google and my todo lists are on google docs. I use the many pages to one option on various laser printers to reduce 6 pages to one page of card stock. I then cut them down to 3×5 and clip them together hipster style. I can access my calendar and docs from any browser or even my phone (a treo), but I carry in my pocket a half a year of calendar (regular copier paper) plus cardstock versions of my todo list, a couple of sudoku from my day at time calendar folded in half. If I lose my hipster or leave it at home, I print a new one. If I update the paper one I just Sync (manually update the online version) and print a fresh page. My online calendar is shared with my wife, so I see her schedule and mine. So I get all the advantages of both worlds. Online neat and always organized at home and work, but also always on me, even in case of power/internet failure. - Ron
February 6th, 2008
Excellent! Amen! Thanks for stepping up. While I love GMail, I have found trying to use to-do lists and such online far too complicated. I guess I am in the middle. I keep my to-dos and projects in Excel so that I can sort and add easily, but I just print it out and carry it with me. And truthfully, I like the feel of pen on paper. And what happens to our library’s of writers work and thought processes when all we have is the electronic copy of the final draft.
February 6th, 2008
I don’t want a paperless life either. My secret of organization is not only a calendar on the wall like yours - but 3×5 cards. You don’t lose them like a piece of paper. They fit nicely into a pocket and can be edited easily.
I was at a wedding on Saturday and was chatting with a stranger about my blog. He pulled his Blackberry out of his pocket and pulled up my blog.
Somehow, it seemed scary! Big Brother is really watching now.
February 6th, 2008
funny I’ve tried Google Calendar, jott, backpack, stickies and other apps as well but I keep goong back to good old paper lists! they are easier to keep and carry anywhere. I don’t have a moleskin notebook though, will be checking one out soon…
February 6th, 2008
Thank you for pointing out the silliness of using web 2.0 for simply using web 2.0 reasons.
I do like Google calendar though. I lose my paper calendar too much!
February 6th, 2008
Thank you for giving us closet paper users a chance to come out. I have tried using web application organizers, task lists and calendars but have always gone back to pencil and paper. It is not just the simplicity but the feeling of satisifaction I get from crossing something off of my list. In fact, sometimes if I get something done that wasn’t on my list I will write it down just so I can cross it off! Although, I also have a hard time walking down the stationary aisle at the store and not fondling all the notebooks and pens. That little obsession might have something to do with it also.
February 6th, 2008
Yay! I like paper too.
If you’re travelling abroad or just out and about in your own city (working anywhere and living free) a paper notebook is much less of a target for thieves, it’s not going to be destroyed if it gets bumped off the table and, in a lot of circumstances, the person jotting notes or sketching is much less obnoxious than the person who pulls out a laptop computer or a blackberry or an iphone or whatever the latest status-symbol gadget is…
Great post!
February 6th, 2008
I always have a notebook with me as you just never know when you may want to jot down a thought, a quote, a reminder etc.
But, more than this, I think there is a pretty strong case for the actual act of writing. By picking up a writing implement and making an inscription upon paper, you can have a profound effect on your subconscious. I recently read the book Write it Down, Make it Happen by Henriette Anne Klauser which talks about exactly that. Really recommend it!
February 6th, 2008
You make excellent points here, and yes, I too prefer paper over technology a lot of times. In fact, when I’m writing, I think better when writing on paper. But when I write on the computer, I find that I procrastinate more than I write (as I’m doing now… oops, better get my butt back to writing, eh.).
Again, great advice! Keep on writing — whether it’s on paper or on the laptop.
February 7th, 2008
Ah. Someone extolling the benefits of (gasp!) paper over the screen. With e-readers and e-paper, I’d thought such beliefs were extinct. Glad there are some ‘dinosaurs’ still roaming around. It was getting lonely.
February 7th, 2008
finally! yay for paper, fuck you trees…well unless your using recycled paper, in that case…good for you.
February 7th, 2008
I carry around the moleskine planner plus a notebook in my back pocket, all the time. I also have a Space Pen ™ that I keep in my front pocket so that I have something to write with. It’s really handy.
February 7th, 2008
Right on!
I’m at the point to just say screw technology! I’ve just spent the last two days looking at so many web app’s because I want to “streamline” my business - invoicing, CRM, project management…and they all look confusing as hell. Funny thing is that I have notebooks filled with my ideas, lists, etc. and it has never failed - like my ancient Palm Tungsten E.
I think I am going to go back to the big whiteboard, a daily planner, and a Moleskin notebook. Not to mention paper smells good, feels good, and is a heck of a lot cheaper than those exorbitant monthly fees for all those “Web 2.0 Luxuries”.
February 7th, 2008
I’ve felt like such a hopeless paper addict - It was so affirming to read your manifesto, Skellie!
Don’t get me wrong, I love technology! But for writing there is something about a smooth pen moving over crisp paper that produces this hypnotic/meditative state that just lets those thoughts flow in a way that is never quite duplicated on the computer. I usually draft in a notebook, especially if it is a detailed piece, and by the time I am done marking it up it looks like quite a mess. But my mind will be clear, and my thoughts organized!
I do wish there were a great way to somehow scan handwritten pages into the computer, though. I have a hard time organizing my notebooks, and I do worry about misplacing or forgetting about ideas. If I could scan them into the computer, and then search for whatever I needed, that would be awesome!
February 7th, 2008
As someone who makes his living commenting on the latest technology, I feel obligated to say Web 2.0 has its place. RSS, for instance, does streamline my information-gathering, just as cell phones and e-mail have assisted communications.
However, there are many examples where technology attempts to replace something (such as paper planners) that already work. For technology to become a tool, rather than an ill-conceived sledgehammer, it has to assist, not replace.
One of the best examples of useful versus silly technology is as close as your TV. A decade ago, deciding what to watch, when and mediating conflicts was a real failing. You read of people being shot over someone switching TV stations. TiVo stepped in and gave birth to the DVR. A convenient scheduler combined with a hassle-free recording filled the gap, made TV-watching a pleasure again and killed the paper-based channel guide.
Today, we have countless examples of streaming and downloadable TV programs. It all failed until developers stopped trying to make consumers jump through their geeky hoops and put TV shows on (gasp!) TVs. Now Apple, Amazon and others wirelessly send TV shows from your computer to your widescreen television.
As all designers learn and technology advocates must follow, the key is not reinventing the wheel, but making the wheel better.
February 7th, 2008
Origami Rules!
I have tried and found that a combination of paper/pen and electronic devices is best for me.
Paper allows you to better use your visual and tactile instruments both for memory and creativity.
February 8th, 2008
‘deciding what to watch, when and mediating conflicts was a real failing. You read of people being shot over someone switching TV stations.’
‘killed the paper-based channel guide’
You’re not making this stuff up a little bit are you Ed?
February 8th, 2008
@Cap’n: Live in a house where the teen daughter wants to watch ‘American Idol’ while you want to catch the presidential debate? Ever fall victim to network counter-programming that places your two favorite TV programs against each other? TiVo (and its subsequent white-label cableco offspring) can be life-savers.
Also, have you seen the latest incarnation of ‘TV Guide’? It’s gone from a fat little mini tab full of programming charts to an entertainment rag.
February 8th, 2008
After several attempts with using Daytimer software and a Palm Pilot, then dropping the latter and having hard drive failures, I now use a much simpler setup.
Last year I created a “road map to success” on a spreadsheet which lists all the things I want to achieve and the steps to get there.
There’s one page for “this month” and another for “this week”, and that essentially adds a loose to-do list and a place to stick notes when I have new ideas.
I also have a standard calendar sitting next to me where I scribble notes/deadlines.
And I keep notebooks/file cards and a pen handy to take notes: in my waist pack, saddlebags, motorcycle jacket, pockets, “office” and bed.
These little file cards can be filed in a box and pulled out for inspiration later.
I’ve twiddled with all these ideas for years now and I’ve concluded that you can’t beat a good old piece of paper, but that if you’re going to use software then it might as well be something simple.
February 8th, 2008
My name’s Nick, and I’m a paperholic.
I too, love writing (the traditional way). Being quintessentially English, I’m afraid I write with a fountain pen in Moleskine books. I get through stacks of them.
I was late reading this post, but it brought such a smile to my face! I’m currently filling a notebook writing a mini book about the joys of shunning technology in favour of paper. Instead of ‘Getting Things Done’ (GTD) online, I think we should all be Writing Things Down (WTD)!
Now, if only my handwriting was clearer…
February 8th, 2008
Hey everyone, sorry for falling behind in answering comments but I didn’t expect this post to hit such a nerve! Turns out there are a lot more closet paper-philes than I thought
Have read and enjoyed all of them.
@ Nick: ‘WTD’ — love it! I might just have to write a post using your terminology — with a big fat credit to you, of course :).
February 8th, 2008
@Ed
‘Live in a house where the teen daughter wants to watch ‘American Idol’ while you want to catch the presidential debate?’
But does your daughter try to shoot you? You should take her guns away from her, dude. Or just buy her a small TV for her bedroom. You can get them for less than $100 now.
‘Ever fall victim to network counter-programming that places your two favorite TV programs against each other?’
Nope, both my favourite shows (South Park and RockWiz) are on the same channel.
‘TiVo (and its subsequent white-label cableco offspring) can be life-savers.’
When you say Tivo, I think of sandals. Guess they could save your life if you’re stomping around where there are venomous little nasties on the ground?
‘Also, have you seen the latest incarnation of ‘TV Guide’? It’s gone from a fat little mini tab full of programming charts to an entertainment rag.’
No idea what you’re talking about there, I’m afraid. My TV guide comes in my weekend newspaper.
Perhaps you didn’t make this stuff up, but we’re just living in different worlds, you and I , Ed; and that, of course, is fine.
In my world though, TV ten years ago was in it’s heyday, nobody got shot because of it, paper guides are alive and well, and my sandals have never given birth to anything…
February 8th, 2008
@Nick: I also count myself among the tech generation with lousy handwriting. I remember a physician once telling me my scribble was worse than his, which is a definite feat given the stories of doctors’ terrible handwriting.
Compare that with a generation ago when you actually had penmanship classes. My father spent all day typing, but because of those classes, he always had a clear signature.
There is an interesting answer for those of us with illegible scrawls: many tablet computers carry software allowing users to write in long-hand and it is instantly typeset. But, then, the goal of this piece was how to avoid technology…
February 8th, 2008
@Skellie — Borrow away! I’ve found an altogether different term for the book I’m writing, anyway (and no, it isn’t ‘WTF’ — ‘Writing Tiny Footnotes’).
@Ed — I feel your pain! My uncle has the most beautiful handwriting I’ve ever seen. It’s always a joy to get cards from him.
A surgeon once complimented me on my illegible scrawl. “Have you thought about going into medicine?” he said. At least, I think it was a compliment…
Growing up in South Africa was interesting too: we spent an hour a day in school meticulously repeating written loops and letters and calling out seemingly bizarre mantras such as, “write from the arm, not from the wrist”. Without it, I dread to think how bad my writing would have been now.
February 14th, 2008
I’d be the first to admit I love my gadgets, but I just cannot get in to using a PDA. I’ve tried so hard, yet I always return to using my trusty old paper based Filofax.
For noting small things like appointments or phone numbers, pen and paper will always be quicker,
February 25th, 2008
This is spot on. I stil haven’t bothered to find out how GTD works, because…well…I really don’t care. If anything, I suppose that complicates matters.
Simplicity is the answer to almost anything, if you think about it.
April 15th, 2008
In my oppinion, technology is being unfairly blamed.
It´s a matter of balance: 2+2 with your calculator is too much, just as 1293898319 squared is too much without it.
Technology won´t make you better. As any other tool, It will allow you to do better, if properly used.
That is a good topic, but i think it needs deeper discussion. =)