GypsmJim
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Here is the answer. Its all about control. Its all about lack of discipline. The loss of common sense has also gone away.
Cursive Writing
- Thread starter 2tall79
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Here is the answer. Its all about control. Its all about lack of discipline. The loss of common sense has also gone away.
Once upon a time, writing was always by hand. Then, Gothenburg changed everything. Illuminators of manuscripts/ books were relegated to the margins of the written word as print took over.
When it came to written communication, as in business, etc., everything was ... by hand. A standard of excellence in penmanship was important to being understood by the recipient of a handwritten communication. Then came the typewriter. Excellence in penmanship was pushed to the margins of communication by the superior efficiency of the mechanical typewriter. By the way, the typewriter offered a profound change in the doing of business and the place of women in business.
Lamentable as it is, penmanship and especially fine cursive writing such as copperplate, etc. is now in the class of the illustrators whose work once was inseparable from hand written books. The undeniable utility of word processors, computers, etc. has rendered such skills more of an occasional artistic joy to behold rather than a realistic everyday necessity to use.
For myself, I will continue to sigh my name the same way I write my notes, papers, etc., i.e., in cursive. For utility, I will transfer my notes and papers to the computer and store them on the Cloud. My filing cabinets have been repurposed to storage bins for parts, odd items, etc. My file are now electronic. Hopefully these will be at least as enduring as the clay tablets of ancient Babylon or the hieroglyphs of Egypt. Sincerely. bruce.
When it came to written communication, as in business, etc., everything was ... by hand. A standard of excellence in penmanship was important to being understood by the recipient of a handwritten communication. Then came the typewriter. Excellence in penmanship was pushed to the margins of communication by the superior efficiency of the mechanical typewriter. By the way, the typewriter offered a profound change in the doing of business and the place of women in business.
Lamentable as it is, penmanship and especially fine cursive writing such as copperplate, etc. is now in the class of the illustrators whose work once was inseparable from hand written books. The undeniable utility of word processors, computers, etc. has rendered such skills more of an occasional artistic joy to behold rather than a realistic everyday necessity to use.
For myself, I will continue to sigh my name the same way I write my notes, papers, etc., i.e., in cursive. For utility, I will transfer my notes and papers to the computer and store them on the Cloud. My filing cabinets have been repurposed to storage bins for parts, odd items, etc. My file are now electronic. Hopefully these will be at least as enduring as the clay tablets of ancient Babylon or the hieroglyphs of Egypt. Sincerely. bruce.
I was floored at freshman orientation in '73 to learn that all papers needed to be typed and double spaced.No handwritten homework would be accepted.I think that was a hint that most people's handwriting is/was atrocious lol
Targets Guy
US Veteran
This is the slide rule my folks gave me in 1963 for my senior year in high school. I still get it out to remind me that 2+2=4.
Huskerguy
Member
I have been an educator for nearly 40 years. There is a lot of research that backs up the importance of learning cursive writing. Think about looking at a letter, translating that from the mind to the hand, to the paper. It is teaching the brain.
A somewhat funny story. My wife worked at a local HS working with kids in all classes. One day a kid who had missed a class asked what was taught and she told them and that another student she worked with had the notes. A little while later the student came back with the notes and handed them to my wife asking if she could help him with them - he could not read cursive.
I am 67 and thought I would help out our local schools by subbing, there is a huge shortage of subs. I am pretty depressed by what I am seeing and do not hold out that much hope for what kids are learning. Now if you want a kid to open a Chromebook and get around in a program, they might have a better chance of that.
A somewhat funny story. My wife worked at a local HS working with kids in all classes. One day a kid who had missed a class asked what was taught and she told them and that another student she worked with had the notes. A little while later the student came back with the notes and handed them to my wife asking if she could help him with them - he could not read cursive.
I am 67 and thought I would help out our local schools by subbing, there is a huge shortage of subs. I am pretty depressed by what I am seeing and do not hold out that much hope for what kids are learning. Now if you want a kid to open a Chromebook and get around in a program, they might have a better chance of that.
Something I saw in my parents and grandparents generation and I'm seeing in mine now was a drive to teach kids how to live and earn a living in a previous era.That was fine 100 or 200 years ago when things progressed slowly. They dont anymore.
Last edited:
RobertJ.
Member
In today's school system, with as little as kids are required to know to graduate, it seems silly to be lamenting cursive writing.
Communication evolves. We started out using symbols on a cave wall. Now, there are some (even here!) who can't convey their message without using the emoji, sometimes several of them. Have we come full circle?
Not my material, BTW. I heard a comedian do a whole bit on this.
Communication evolves. We started out using symbols on a cave wall. Now, there are some (even here!) who can't convey their message without using the emoji, sometimes several of them. Have we come full circle?
Not my material, BTW. I heard a comedian do a whole bit on this.
With text, email, facebook, etc .... writing is becoming a thing of the past. My sister sends me an annual text: Happy Birthday, I'll call you when I get off work . And of course never calls or mails a card.
Her birthday is exactly two months after mine,,,, I ALWAYS make it a point to purchase a real paper birthday card, write something witty, and mail it to her.
I almost bought a card that said "at least I'm not sending a text"... but thought that would be a bit tacky.
- - - -
Second story: my favorite Uncle passed a few years ago and I was requested to be a pallbearer. About a week later my Aunt sent a beautifully handwritten thank-you card with A LOT of thought AND emotion put into her writing (cursive writing). She had been a school superintendent for many years and probably knows the power of the pen. I cherish her thoughts and regularly read the card.
- - - -
IMO ... nothing says "I care" more these days than a hand written letter.
I need to write more :sigh:
Her birthday is exactly two months after mine,,,, I ALWAYS make it a point to purchase a real paper birthday card, write something witty, and mail it to her.
I almost bought a card that said "at least I'm not sending a text"... but thought that would be a bit tacky.
- - - -
Second story: my favorite Uncle passed a few years ago and I was requested to be a pallbearer. About a week later my Aunt sent a beautifully handwritten thank-you card with A LOT of thought AND emotion put into her writing (cursive writing). She had been a school superintendent for many years and probably knows the power of the pen. I cherish her thoughts and regularly read the card.
- - - -
IMO ... nothing says "I care" more these days than a hand written letter.
I need to write more :sigh:
LVSteve
Member
I suspect that Grand Theft Auto and Tour of Duty have replaced cursive writing in the development of hand-to-eye coordination for boys.
Ha! There are an awful lot of things we do that develop fine motor skills.Cursive writing was only one of them
This discussion has reminded me this local fella:
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvSyQDu49pI[/ame]
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvSyQDu49pI[/ame]
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