Stationery in the Midst of Technology
Barbaric may be a harsh word. It means cruel, savage, primitive and unsophisticated. I am sure that most of you will probably take action and search for the definition on Google. I don’t blame you. While I expect many terse comments from all those who read this post, allow me first to explain why I chose this term. It is by no means a reflection of what I think of you. In fact, many of you are confident and poised individuals who do not care about the ramblings of a writer who suffers from a mild case of gobbledygook.
What I really mean
The word barbaric can also indicate chronology as in time. Technology, the knowledge applied to a given field of study, is often labeled by an accepted measure of continuity. This length of action or timetable is determined by two factors: current advancements and how much of a dreamer you are. Jetpacks and flying cars look exciting on paper, but can these sorts of machines one day become a reality? Ah, yes, the definitive question. Eggheads, academics and the pundits from Silicon Valley would be the first to differ.
I, like all of you, am curious about the next high tech gimmick. Years ago, we couldn’t even imagine the fruition of flat or touch screens, 3D cinema or CGI and now, our brains are overloaded with visual dribble. There is much to be said about what passes for great cinematic achievement when every film is shot in 3D. A 55-inch flat screen is insufficient. Every child must learn how to text before they learn how to write and your car must park itself. This post may be the ramblings of an ill-mannered stringer, but he will gladly convince you that we are all barbarians living in a digital society.
Make up your mind already
If we measure how far we have come by my undisclosed and unsystematic method, then we are by no means barbaric. The fact that you are reading this post on your computer, tablet or smartphone supports my outlandish notion. The gadgetry we use today has made it easier for us to communicate with our family and friends in ways that are more convenient and quick. Long since the invention of the telephone, the Internet has made this even more apparent.
Where does stationery fit in all this?
Well, we still value the emotional and fundamental significance of a handwritten response. The human psyche is just that uncomplicated. With the transition of print media currently taking its toll, which one can argue is a clear sign that more people are escaping to a digital format, our need to stay connected to the world remains the same. As a result, we have become more critical about how we communicate with each other. Is the pen mightier than the sword? Are we barbarians because we like to take arms by writing things down or heaven forbid read a sentence in black ink? The answer is quite apparent – yes! But is that such a bad thing? In the midst of what technology has become, a fleeting contraption after another, stationery prevails.
One image comes to mind
Last year, Hurricane Sandy left 9 million people without electricity leaving those with smartphones, tablets and laptops without a working socket to plug into. The media went frantic reporting hundreds of people roaming the streets trying to find a place to power up their beloved gadgets. Gasoline stations and hotels offered their limited resources, but only a few reaped the benefits. Many others were left communicating with loved ones by writing letters, notes and messages on pieces of discarded paper, brown paper bags, wrapping paper and stationery.
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Henry B Springs
Maybe other cultures classify us as barbaric because after thousands of years of recorded communication we still have not learned to use it as a substitute against violence or baser emotions. We have not yet learned invaluable lessons from employing our age old Personalized Pads to stimulate creativity, acknowledge our frustrations and short comings and then redefine ourselves with solutions, alternatives to barbarians. Did we really consider the power and focus of what an alternative message could do, didn’t we feel “that spirit” here in 1969 or wasn’t before then, somewhere shortly before the age of the dinosaurs ended when we tried keeping tabs of human history – way before paper and Personalized Stationery were available. We weren’t as sophisticated, avid and eager communicators. In fact we didn’t have a lot of words to get the message across. Now in an era that is seemingly far, far away in our present day reality we are only as barbaric as our thoughts and situations limit us to be.
Tablets or Agendas were made to go with you wherever, through barbarism and beyond. Sets of seven tablets and notepads come in gift sets and packages in a variety of sizes. Why not order monogram patterned Personalized Pads on your shoulder bag, key chain, Agenda and Organizer. Notepads let you listen to your own voice and create a very personal statement that expresses who you are and the priorities in your life. Communication has evolved to the point where we are making one personal point after the other.
22 January 2013, 8:04 pmElizabeth Anderson
Haha, nice quote at the end there Henry!
As far as being barbaric in the traditional sense of the word, we have plenty of that in this country. Not in the form of groups of raiders pillaging villages or whatever, but in terms of glorifying violence and committing the occasional atrocious act, we do still have that going on. But that’s not what we’re talking about, is it?
As far as applying it to technology, I’m not really sure what you’re getting at. Do you mean to say that we as a society haven’t changed that much along with our technology? I guess that’s true in a way. I think print definitely has a place, both in terms of books and personalized stationery. I don’t think either one is going away anytime soon, which is alright with me. E-books are cool and all, but don’t replace the feel of a real book in my hands. E-cards I don’t care for, they reek of a lack of thought and effort, and don’t convey much of anything except a cheap joke, and some of them not even that much. Not to sound negative or anything, but I much prefer real personalized cards to the electronic format is all I’m trying to say.
24 January 2013, 4:41 pmHilma Conger
Elizabeth, you’re right that print is not about to die. People have been claiming that for a long time, but you know what? Sales of e-readers like the Kindle and the Nook have actually slowed. People do still go to the library and check out paper books. Why should it be any different with stationery? There is still a place for the written word, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Call it barbaric if you want, but that’s how it is.
24 January 2013, 5:31 pmJonathan Price
From what we read in one of the earlier blogs around the start of the year, it sounds like we don’t have to go outside the world of personalized stationery to see some new technology, or at least new processes for making stationery. I’m definitely interested in seeing how those get put to good use. By comparison, the great products we’ve had in the past might seem downright barbaric. Wouldn’t that be something?
24 January 2013, 6:26 pm