David, I love this story. I knew your dad for many years, not knowing this story until now, it does however make perfect sense of his personality and thinking style. I have have a different take on these observations. As one who lived in the manufacturing technology world for 40+ years I respect the typewriter as a complex mechanism, an accomplishment of the production process. We have lost not just this type of device, in its watch-like precision, we have in fact lost something far more important, time.
The time I am referring to is the time in thought, in contemplation of an idea which extends to the time spent crafting the final result. Your father knew something that many of us took years to understand, the process of keeping clarity of thought and idea development takes time. I have experienced this change in process in two related areas; mechanical drafting and film photography. Both of which have been greatly accelerated as to the ability to complete the required actions but in the process have shortened the time in thought and deeper understanding of what is being produced. The technologies we now use are unrivaled in speed and in most cases the analytical abilities brought forth that are truly exceptional.
The strengths lost from using these old technologies and methods are subtle and are not well recognized by the common practitioner of the word processor, CAD system or digital camera. The greatest loss is the loss of focus that promoted the best, most complete result to be achieved by providing the critical element of time for uninterrupted and determined thought.
I’m not sure how to get this strength back? We can all try by following dad Beedle example by getting up early and starting the day with a clear head full of ideas.
Jack, you continue to knock me over with your insight. Thanks for taking the time to write something so thoughtful, and so on the nose. I am confronted with the “ease of the revision” and the “speed of production” every day. Video edits were once a time of reflection … of mechanical time … of thought before taking that giant step to … cut … right … THERE! Alas, making things easy is not always making things better.
Made me tear up….
Pretty much knew where you were going…
Loved the ride on your words! Thank you!!
I was SOOOOOO bummed when Wes got rid of his typewriter…. Now I am wondering if Wes’ mom still has her (really) old one…….. hmmmmmm
Lovely contemplations, joycey
Thank you so much for the nice comment, Joyce. Funny, the older I get the stronger those connections to *long ago* become. Say hi to everyone out in the great Northwest for me.
David, I love this story. I knew your dad for many years, not knowing this story until now, it does however make perfect sense of his personality and thinking style. I have have a different take on these observations. As one who lived in the manufacturing technology world for 40+ years I respect the typewriter as a complex mechanism, an accomplishment of the production process. We have lost not just this type of device, in its watch-like precision, we have in fact lost something far more important, time.
The time I am referring to is the time in thought, in contemplation of an idea which extends to the time spent crafting the final result. Your father knew something that many of us took years to understand, the process of keeping clarity of thought and idea development takes time. I have experienced this change in process in two related areas; mechanical drafting and film photography. Both of which have been greatly accelerated as to the ability to complete the required actions but in the process have shortened the time in thought and deeper understanding of what is being produced. The technologies we now use are unrivaled in speed and in most cases the analytical abilities brought forth that are truly exceptional.
The strengths lost from using these old technologies and methods are subtle and are not well recognized by the common practitioner of the word processor, CAD system or digital camera. The greatest loss is the loss of focus that promoted the best, most complete result to be achieved by providing the critical element of time for uninterrupted and determined thought.
I’m not sure how to get this strength back? We can all try by following dad Beedle example by getting up early and starting the day with a clear head full of ideas.
Jack, you continue to knock me over with your insight. Thanks for taking the time to write something so thoughtful, and so on the nose. I am confronted with the “ease of the revision” and the “speed of production” every day. Video edits were once a time of reflection … of mechanical time … of thought before taking that giant step to … cut … right … THERE! Alas, making things easy is not always making things better.
Thank you, sir.
Made me tear up….
Pretty much knew where you were going…
Loved the ride on your words! Thank you!!
I was SOOOOOO bummed when Wes got rid of his typewriter…. Now I am wondering if Wes’ mom still has her (really) old one…….. hmmmmmm
Lovely contemplations, joycey
Thank you so much for the nice comment, Joyce. Funny, the older I get the stronger those connections to *long ago* become. Say hi to everyone out in the great Northwest for me.