Comments on: The Power of Paper: 5 Situations Where Paper Trumps Technology

By: Simple Living News Update

Simple Living News Update — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:51:27 +0000

[...] The Power of Paper: 5 Situations Where Paper Trumps Technology [...]

By: Luke @ simplifi.de

Luke @ simplifi.de — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:19:30 +0000

Thanks, Tammy! The general consensus seems to be that there is benefits in both brainstorming on paper AND transferring that to digital form.

Great post today, too, BTW. Everybody go check out 4 Ways to Quiet Your Mind on Rowdy Kittens!

By: Luke @ simplifi.de

Luke @ simplifi.de — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:15:38 +0000

That's a good question about how technology will affect them. I'm not sure, but here's my own experience: I pretty much grew up using a computer (my dad got a Commodore 64 when I was 5 or so!) There was a time in my teen years when I thought all paper was stupid and that everything was more efficient on the computer. But it was a phase, and I grew out of it.

So my gut reaction (and hope) is that kids growing up today will naturally do the same thing. There's always the tactile, physical attraction of pen and paper that technology cannot replicate

By: Tammy Strobel

Tammy Strobel — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:17:02 +0000

Loved the post and I totally agree. It's much easier for me to brainstorm on paper and then transfer my thoughts into digital form. Loving the blog! Keep it up. :)

By: Pawel @ MinimalistBusiness

Pawel @ MinimalistBusiness — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:20:48 +0000

Hi Luke,

You're right there. Sometimes paper is simply nicer to use that a keyboard.

I often draw mind maps for my articles in my notepad. I just can't make myself to use a dedicated software for that. It just feels much better to scribble on a page.

At the same time, I wonder how my kids will approach that when they're older. For them it's all about computers, game consoles... Well, my little ones are too young for that yet but generally kids these days live in a digital world. I wonder will they actually know the pleasure of writing with an ink pen?

Guess it's up to us, schools will probably teach them to type, not write :)

By: Sunny

Sunny — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:10:00 +0000

I love that quote from Antoine, and remind myself of it often because I go overboard with the "nothing left to take away" part.

At one point, I used my SmartPhone for everything, including my grocery list. There's nothing more awkward than pecking on a teeny tiny keyboard to find out if yogurt is on my list! I love handwritten notes and still send them to my close friends. A day without my Moleskine also makes me feel naked - it now carries all of my lists and thoughts, including yogurt reminders.

The most powerful aspect of paper, for me, is the respect I give it. I write only what's meaningful, even when brainstorming like a mad scientist. When typing, I write longer lists with less "meat".

Great post, Luke.

By: Luke @ simplifi.de

Luke @ simplifi.de — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:15:44 +0000

Exactly the same for me, I am much more likely to remember something if I
write it down.

Thanks for stopping by, Jonathan, and for the compliment. Love "We Live
Simply" and what you're doing there!

By: jdblundell

jdblundell — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:35:22 +0000

Great list. I always like to keep a pad of paper next to me when I'm working.

If for nothing else, it helps get my creative juices flowing by giving me an opportunity to doodle or sketch out ideas.

I've also found that writing things down helps me to put things to memory. I may never refer back to that piece of paper, but the simple task of writing it down somewhere seems to make a bigger dent in my memory that not doing so.

BTW - love your simple layout and design! Looking forward to reading more!

By: Luke @ simplifi.de

Luke @ simplifi.de — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:09:07 +0000

As long as it's not too sensitive information - you don't want it to fall into somebody else's hands.

I hadn't thought about that, but it's true - if you need to record something, there's not too many places where you can't find a piece of paper around somewhere.

Thanks for stopping by Walter, I hope you come back often!

By: Sam Spurlin

Sam Spurlin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:06:56 +0000

I think that's why in college I preferred to take handwritten notes in class and then I would type them up. It was the best study tool I used, too.