Throughout my life, I’ve been a stationery addict, fetishist, whatever you’d like to call me. It amazed me how a simple tool had the capacity to change the world, for better or worse. There have been large debates on which is better for writing–pen, pencil, or computers. I’ve been through all three. Many others say it matters on what feels comfortable to the individual. I say, in addition, it matters on how ideas materialize.
Unnatural at first, tools are grown accustomed to over time. Most of us have first started off with wooden pencils or pens in school. I remember those first scribbles of letters I made with graphite. Horrible. Yet, I continued to use the pencil throughout my elementary school years and improved, like anything with practice. I still continue to improve.
Eventually, I wanted to try writing with a pen. But upon picking up a ballpoint pen, I hesitated. I could no longer erase my mistakes. It glided too smoothly across paper. I feared I needed to commit my thoughts with accuracy.
I tried my best using only pens. The more I used it, the more I liked the permanence, the vivid lines, the smoothness. Committing actually helped bring ideas out and kept it as proof for future reference. Eventually, I picked up a cheap Manuscript calligraphy fountain pen and loved it (I still do). At fountainpennetwork.com, fellow users opened up a whole new world to me. I bought blue ink instead of black. Uncial became my favorite script as I experimented with my daily longhand. I’d scribble countless nonsensical sentences about which ink and nib combination were the best, which angle and grip were optimal.
In a mechanical pencil-filled university class, I was the only one using a fountain pen. Some people noticed but didn’t care. The unique tool in hand felt powerful as I flowed across papers. People became impressed with what I wrote. Positive comments encouraged me to write more.
Soon, however, I found it became too cumbersome to carry around and use. Sometimes the ink leaked out, causing a massive cleanup. My words became too squished and bold in college-ruled lines to the point where “e” became “c.” Ink ran out too quickly. Changing cartridges took too long and distracted my thoughts and other people around me. I needed something simpler, despite how much I love the experience of romantic fountain pens.
Computers were much faster to pound out words and ideas. They also decreased my paper usage. As an environmentally-conscious individual, I seek to find the least negative impact on our Earth. Conversely, I cannot find a way around my carbon footprint, other than using low-powered, energy-saving tablets/laptops, and smart usage of household electricity. I digress.
Simply put, I am a Computer Engineer major, meaning I definitely need a computer (I really hope administration will allow me to transfer to Computer Science). I’d make my laptop the go-to, all-powerful device for everything. I recently purchased a Samsung Chromebook, which definitely cuts the weight of my backpack.
However, writing with a computer felt unnatural. Although I typed at a decent speed enough to write almost as fast as I thought, the ideas formed were not the same as writing with a pencil or pen. I had been used to the physical act of writing on paper where I am forced to slow down and simmer in thoughts. On computers, my sentences appeared rushed. Coherency dropped.
But now I’m typing a blog post after many usages. It isn’t too bad, right?
Perhaps the simplest tool for me is a pencil. Yes, I’ve used mechanical pencils before, and I’ve mentioned pencils in the beginning of this article. But I love the friction wooden ones give as well as their organic feeling during sketch sessions. They appeared easier on my eyes with its gray marks. I missed using them so much that I pulled out the leftover 50 wooden Staples pencils I bought in middle school.
Every now and then, I’d cycle between the three — computer, pencil, pen. Each had their strengths and weaknesses.
But what I really needed to focus on was the content.
What was supposed to matter throughout my journey was what I wrote, not just about “which is the best tool.” I’m supposed to immerse the reader in my thoughts and opinions. I’m supposed to release whatever is in my mind. Without commitment on paper, it’s as if my ideas never existed. Eventually, I’ll forget what it was I wanted to say. Do or die.
I now prefer pencil (for its simplicity, feel, and environmental factors) and computer (for its convenience and keeping me awake). Because I’ve been practicing with them all, the words flow smoothly from my brain, to my hands, to my tool, and finally to existence.
It’s not which tool is larger than the other. It’s about the flow of medium.
Sub-Efficient 