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Glorifying the use of computers and cool fonts from blog to blog seem to not end and it probably never will. One must put a stop to this insanity by looking back from where it all came from, a more traditional art. Handwriting or penmanship, if you will.
The art of handwriting is dying, I only have one friend who has a very artistic handwriting and when people do see her write they get mesmerized. That is one hint that it is a dying art: when people around see it like something straight from a fantasy film.
Nowadays almost everyone are typing or texting(SMS), even documents that are passed around only require a signature. Today, many schools are shifting to computerized exams. Handwriting only occurs during lecture time, although in the university from where I graduated teachers give photocopies of their lectures or even a PDF.
Interview:
To back up my claim (or question) I have interviewed 22 people about handwriting as a dying art.
1. Do you think handwriting is a dying art?
Of the 22 I have interviewed 14 believe that handwriting is a dying art. Although people still write from time to time, the days when handwriting is something that defines the personality of the writer is nearly gone. This apply to calligraphy and cursive.
2. Do you still write?
Twelve said they still write regularly while 10 said they no longer write using pen and paper or very rarely does so. Most of those who commented further no longer write regularly, but they do believe that before technology overlapped traditional writing, people were really good with it.
I was even graced with their comments about this matter.
Ian said:
“Now, calligraphy style penmanship, however is quite dead. Go, go print :( As an art form yes, it is dead in my eyes, but as far as communications are conerned, it will always exist. Nothing beats hard copies, you know?”
Anonymous said:
“I was taught wrong, or more like learned wrong.”
Jesse from the USA said:
“It actually is, I’m afraid. I use the computer a lot more. I wouldn’t say they forget about using paper and ink, it’s just in today’s world, technology rules. But yes, people do write a lot less in my opinion.”
Anonymous said:
“Yes, the computer era is taking over.”
Lucas from Minnesota said:
“Yes, it is dying. No, I no longer write, unfortunately. The use of the internet and cellphones has abolished handwriting entirely. And I don’t write because my school asks for computer written essays and it’s easier to contact other people through the internet than through a letter.”
Charina said:
“Yes, most people today use computer. For instance, when communicating, instead of snail mail people use Yahoo Messenger, Facebook, e-mails, and SMS. Even at schools, projects are done using computers. It is seldom for teachers to give students instructions to come up with a handwritten essay.”
Karla said:
“Yes, it is a dying art. Even my boss writes like a kid.”
Rassel said:
“Because of technology, I think.”
Based on the interview I have conducted, people who agree/believe that handwriting is a dying art have more things to say on what caused its demise than those who believe otherwise. Now you’re wondering where did I gather people to answer my questions? 3 are long-time friends. Others, from Omegle. *laughs*
I think I deserve a praise because I’ve been verbally abused many times for asking questions. You know, there are lots of naughty people there. Good thing there are still serious people who are connected to the internet ready to provide creative and critical discussions.
The power of an elegant handwriting stirs the imagination. Seeing the images below automatically gives me the impression that the person who wrote them are elegant!
On a completely irrelevant but serious note, I am a Redditor (a reddit user) for 2 years now and it just occurred to me to search “handwriting”, to my surprise I found a discussion full of ultra cool handwritings.
Feast with your eyes! Calling all who have knowledge of graphology/handwriting analysis, please help us translate the handwritings below.
by: electrobutter
I find electrobutter‘s handwriting nice. A combination of print and cursive. You can actually visualize the fast strokes his pen makes.
by: Eugene Solomonik
A fantastic handwriting which incorporates fine slow curves and quick strokes. Mr. Solominik even has a special note for 1stwebdesigner!
Isn’t that sweet of him? Check out his Flickr, he sure loves to write. Thanks Mr. Solomonik!
by: paralemptor
You felt it too, didn’t you? That tingling sensation while reading the handwriting, it is like one of those books about witchcraft with rhymes. I’d have paralemptor write me a short story.
by: Frodo_Teabaggins
Dear Frodo_Teabaggins, teach me how to write like this. Please? Very elegant and free-flowing.
“Greetings 1stwebdesigner readers! How is my handwriting? I want to see yours too. :) Cursive? What cursive? << LOL” – for those who can’t read my handwriting due to poor camera resolution and the shaking of my hands, I had too much coffee.
Dear friends, I have successfully acquired Dainis Graveris’ handwriting specimen. Unique handwriting, I should say, for it combines both print and cursive in a very subtle way. Bonus: this is his journal.
If you have the time please do answer these questions:
1. Do you think handwriting is a dying art?
2. When was the last time you actually wrote?
3. If you are writing in print, when was the last time you wrote in cursive?
4. Link to your handwriting’s photo?
1/8/2011 UPDATE! - Around 5 minutes ago I was browsing Yahoo News and saw an article predicting things that babies born in the year 2011 will never know. Guess what? It includes handwriting! See 23rd item or 7th to the last.
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Rean is the editor of 1stwebdesigner. He regularly writes about freelancing, technology, web design, and web development. Rean also writes at Knowledge Salad, a blog filled with weird and interesting facts. One of his goals is to help his fellow Filipinos earn money online, to help them build a career out of working from home, just like what he has been doing for years now.
Saturday, November 12th, 2011 16:08
I don’t actually think the art of handwriting is dying and I hope it never does.
Just think of journals, notes in class etc, it’s so much easier to whip out a notebook and jot down your thoughts and notes.
Plus, you can’t really carry a laptop or iPad or whatever else you have around with you all of the time! Be realistic. Also, computers are good but they are NOT the oracle of the universe, they do break and they are not the only source of use for writing, researching or contacting people.
I’m 17 and even I know this so all of you that may say I’m old and moany, feck offfff because I know I’m right and I think writing will always be around, or atleast for the rest of my life time.
Monday, July 11th, 2011 19:23
Great post. I really feel that penmanship has been written off by thumb-centric youth. I think we lose a lot when we don’t stress the art of handwriting.
Wednesday, March 30th, 2011 01:28
This is an interesting article. There is not many things that are hand written anymore though.
Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 19:23
What a strange world we live in nowadays. Kids need to be able to print their full name, address and phone number before they get to Kindergarten. Yet, they are taught typing skills, rather than cursive handwriting. Perhaps personalized notes are going the way of paperback books — extinct! Call me “sentimental,” but I still value the look, feel and smell of an old book over a Kindle and the heartfelt sentiment of a chicken-scratched letter on a crumpled piece of paper over an email any day.
Sunday, January 9th, 2011 01:11
I think those that truly appreciate the art of handwriting will continue to do it. It also depends on how often you write regular mail (I hate the term snail mail). While my handwriting isn’t fantastic, it is readable. I would always handwrite letters for personal purposes. I’m 40 and as much as I use technology, I still don’t text unless I have to. I’d rather talk on the phone or send an e-mail. While I may never create a font with my handwriting, I still use it quite a bit to take notes in class because one of the guys didn’t like the noise of the keystrokes and write letters and Christmas Cards. It’s also used for me when I write thank-you notes to prospective employers after interviews. So I guess it all comes down to choice. It will never die out as long as there are people are there to appreciate it’s beauty.
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Rean John Uehara
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 12:30
Don’t forget to answer the questions below, maybe we can start a discussion here. :) Thanks!
Jayson
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 14:53
I am not convinced that handwriting is a dying art. I write most days, usually taking notes or journaling. I know that I have an easier time working out logic problems & loops when I write the logic out by hand first. Also, with so many note-taking tools online using OCR(ish) technology it makes it still searchable and archivable.
I only write in cursive when I’m signing something.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaysonwhelpley/5327334802/
Rean John Uehara
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 14:59
With or without link your comment sure is helpful, sir. The concept of handwriting as an art seems to belong in the grey areas, one could not really draw the line between it being an art or not. Thanks for the input! :)
nOeL
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 15:19
Thanks Rean! People that receive handwritten letters appreciate the time and effort. It’s also very personal. :)
Rean John Uehara
Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 15:27
Thanks for commenting. :) I can actually relate when it comes to how my handwriting looks, as seen above. *laughs*