Reading books, writing on paper

 

 

 

Handwriting

 

 

I love my MacBook Pro’s perfect keyboard, no doubt about that.

I have been hacking away on it more or less at high speed for 25 years.

( On several Macbook pro incarnations, obviously! ) 

 

But I would love to have this alternative – this other unreasonably expensive high tech writing instrument.

 

 

 

 

And some nice quality paper, the one that feels expensive to the touch.

 

 

 

 

 

Well- honestly – when I am done dreaming, I am actually pretty happy with my trusted Stabilo felt-tip pens, writing my poetry into a humble cheap notebook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. . .
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Handwriting and the brain

 

 

I am reading  in scientific studies  that handwriting activates a broader, more integrated network of brain regions than typing.

Areas critical for memory formation, learning, and sensory processing are more engaged when I write with a pen on paper. 

 

Unlike the repetitive, limited motor pathways of typing, handwriting triggers complex connectivity patterns in the premotor cortex and parietal lobe, cerebellum, and hippocampus due to the precise coordination of fine motor skills, visual feedback, and tactile input. 

Handwriting produces far more elaborate brainwave synchronization, particularly in theta and alpha frequency bands, which are linked to memory and attention. 

The act of forming letters engages the sensorimotor cortex and Broca’s area, creating stronger neural pathways that support letter recognition and spelling. 

When writing by hand, studies found better content retention and deeper understanding of material compared to those who type, as the process requires active cognitive engagement rather than passive transcription. 

 

While typing is efficient for speed, the spatiotemporal complexity of handwriting forces the brain to integrate visual, motor, and sensory information, making it a uniquely powerful tool for cognitive development and long-term memory encoding.

 

That’s quite a fancy way to say a simple thing:

 

Handwriting is cool!

 

.
. . .
.

 

I once had a lover who could write in old-style Korean from left to right and right to left. And also from top to bottom, like the Japanese still do.

I tried it once 😅

 

To you

I
wrote
you
a
letter
and
I
never
sent
it.

You
wouldn’t
have
been
able
to
read
it
anyway,

my
handwriting
is
just
as
bad
as
ever.

Maybe
worse.

So I started to type my letters
In a kind of handwritten-ish way.

Pretty neat, don’t you think?

 

 

.
. . .
.

 

 

Handwriting can be Art and Intimacy of Expression

 

Handwritten notes and letters are what emails or text messages can never be – personal and emotional transfer of energy that goes beyond the content, creating a kind of intimate connection.

Handwriting is an original, intimate reflection of the writer, often showing personality in the slants and shapes of letters.

And the doodles too.

 

 

Especially when it comes to poetry, pen-man/woman-ship can be an art form – almost like calligraphy.

 

 

 

.
. . .
.

 

 

 

Handwriting forces me to slow down.

 

The physical act of writing with pen on paper encourages slower, more thoughtful composition, a more deliberate formulation of the sentences.

The feel of a pen, the texture and scent of the paper – in case I manage to use a quality notebook – adds significance to my words, turning note-taking into a tangible, tactile satisfaction.

 

 

So, why am I still typing away on my Macbook at any time of day or night?

🤔

(I could always say that i am helping to save those 🌴 🌲🌲🌲🌴🌴 😉)

 

 

.
. . .
.

 

 

 

Books

Real 😉 Books

 

 

Books printed on paper

Books that i can take to the toilet

Books that i can draw on, dog-ear and annotate wherever i want

 

 

Books that i can find in second-hand-bookstores
(in case such relicts are still existing somewhere)

 

 

 

Unfortunately, those are rare here where i live (especially those who carry English-language books)

My main source of books-on-paper looks like that – no kidding 😂

 

But fear not!

I am not really suffering.

In reality, these days i am reading books-on-paper only for the fun of it.

Drinking espresso or coffee negro slow-mo in a beach restaurant.

Taking my time.

Contemplating.

 

 

 

 

.
. . .
.

 

 

If i really want the information, if i need the latest published books, i can always find it somewhere in the free corners of the internet.

And the shelves of my Macbook always have space for one more. 😹

 

 

My computer says that there are around 10000 eBooks in my Book App folder, that i collected over the years.
128 GB on disk!!!

 

This can’t be true, I can hardly believe that 🧐

OMG!  Who should ever read all of that? 😅

 

(Didn’t realize that i am such a pack-rat)

 

 

.
. . .
.

 

 

Om Tat Sat