Song to this opinion: Genesis - That's all

I just read the article "A New Old Idea" by Kevin Lipe. Here, the author grapples with the question of why 'modern' computers can't convey the same meaningful feeling they once did, and how old hardware still does, at least for some time. The author attributes this effect in part to his nostalgia, but not entirely. He writes about the feeling that typing on an old Olivetti typewriter gave him. As I read this, it occurred to me how typewriters are fundamentally different from computers.

Not a multitool

A typewriter serves the purpose of putting text down on paper legibly and in rudimentary formatting. A computer is obviously not made for writing alone. But even if we choose any word processor, in almost all cases it offers more than just writing functionality: text formatting, indexing, layout, ... all functionalities that, in my opinion, only offer potential for distraction and no help at all in creating texts.

Not a changing tool

A typewriter always works the same after you buy it, and once you get used to it, it is simply boring. It does not change anymore. Neither does a fountain pen change. Compare that to your favorite text editor that tells you once a month what cool new features it now offers. Compare that to the text editors that market themselves as extensible, 'hackable' and whatnot. How many times in the last month have you changed the color scheme of your editor to satisfy your 'new shiny thing' syndrome? Does your word processor have its own marketplace for extensions that promise you productivity but actually just steal your attention?

Not parallel

A computer is like a Leatherman knife: more than just a single tool, more like a toolbox. However, Leathermen and computers also differ in one point. A computer allows you to use all of its tools at the same time. In my opinion, this is a new challenge for the users of this tool. Humans are not very good at multitasking.

Analog

I think that analog, non-parallel tools can have a glorified, romantic notion attached to them. At the same time, there's one feeling that can't be denied: the feeling of sitting in front of a blank sheet of paper with a pen. The feeling of having no idea how to formulate what you want to express. The uncomfortable feeling that you don't even know what you actually want to express. Then there is no tool that flashes colorfully and with which one can distract oneself from unpleasant feelings. You have to develop new strategies to deal with these feelings. Maybe you have to put the pen aside at some point, and admit to yourself that today is not that day - instead of playing around with your colorful flashing tools and making the situation worse by linking negative associations with the tool.