What’s on your mind?

[yaxomoxay]

As do I, my friend. As do I.

Nothing, but nothing, beats pen and paper.

At the end, for some reason, I keep reverting to pen and paper. And highlighter. And staples. And paper clips. And brass paper fasteners. And treasury tags. And pencil. And binders.

Granted, I use digital tools quite a lot as they have many advantages, but I find nothing as effective as paper. Even my meticulous tasks organization is mostly done with paper and it works like a charm. Go figure.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Good point, very good point. Weimar Republic is probably one of the most instructive periods to study even from a financial point of view.


I didn’t even consider this to be honest.

While the consequences (currencies with improbable numbers of zeros that had lost all value in any economic or financial or fiscal sense) were the same for both Weimar Germany and the Confederacy, the situation that brought it about differed somewhat.

While (democratic) Weimar Germany printed excess money (to pay for the reparations that had been imposed by the Treaty of Versailles which dealt with matters related to Germany, the Treaties of St- Germain and Trianon dealt with matters pertaining to Austria and Hungary, respectively) - and the industrial heartland of Germany, the Ruhr Valley, had been occupied by the French, the underlying economic structure of the country retained considerable potential strength.

It is not a coincidence that the "Beer Hall Putsch" occurred in November 1923, (following the currency collapse, and destruction of the economy), and nor is it a coincidence that Adolf Hitler finally came to power (in January 1933) in the wake of the economic devastation brought about by the effects of the Great Depression on Germany.

In fact, I would go so far as to argue that Hitler would not have come to power - and could not have come to power - without the sort of political havoc and economic chaos wrought by the Great Depression.

This was not the case with the Confederacy, where their currency - which had started the Civil War at parity with the US dollar - started losing value more or less immediately, as the economy - especially after the "Anaconda Plan" (the Northern naval blockade of the South) was put into effect - produced little - it imported everything from the North - and exported hardly anything.

For, the Confederacy was a feudal economy, and, once they were deprived of, and denied access to, (on account of the Northern blockade) the export market for the sole product they produced (which, was, of course, produced under conditions of slavery) for which there was an international market, namely, cotton, their economy was in freefall, a condition reflected in the collapse in the value of their currency.

Most histories of the Civil War (well, the better ones) devote at least a chapter to the economic history of the war, which is fascinating.

However, for those who like to find history in fiction, the book (that is, the book, not film/movie) of Gone With The Wind actually covers this territory; the collapse in the value of the currency turns up (in discussions) in several chapters, and Rhett Butler's sharp remarks (during the scene when he is first introduced as a character, at a party just before the war starts) questioning the capacity of a feudal state to handle armed conflict with an industrialized power make that very point, a conversation which is referred to, and returned to, several times during the book.

These remarks reflect observations made by William T Sherman in 1860 when he was Superintendent of Louisiana State University, which I will quote because I think it worth reading:

“You people of the South don't know what you are doing. This country will be drenched in blood, and God only knows how it will end. It is all folly, madness, a crime against civilization! You people speak so lightly of war; you don't know what you're talking about.
War is a terrible thing! You mistake, too, the people of the North. They are a peaceable people but an earnest people, and they will fight, too. They are not going to let this country be destroyed without a mighty effort to save it … Besides, where are your men and appliances of war to contend against them? The North can make a steam engine, locomotive, or railway car; hardly a yard of cloth or pair of shoes can you make. You are rushing into war with one of the most powerful, ingeniously mechanical, and determined people on Earth — right at your doors.
You are bound to fail. Only in your spirit and determination are you prepared for war. In all else you are totally unprepared, with a bad cause to start with. At first you will make headway, but as your limited resources begin to fail, shut out from the markets of Europe as you will be, your cause will begin to wane. If your people will but stop and think, they must see in the end that you will surely fail.”

 

[Scepticalscribe]

At the end, for some reason, I keep reverting to pen and paper. And highlighter. And staples. And paper clips. And brass paper fasteners. And treasury tags. And pencil. And binders.

Granted, I use digital tools quite a lot as they have many advantages, but I find nothing as effective as paper. Even my meticulous tasks organization is mostly done with paper and it works like a charm. Go figure.

Pen and paper. Yes. Always.

Highlighter (in a shade of lemon, please, for preference). Yes, definitely.

Staples, paper clips, brass paper fasteners, yes, yes, yes.

Pencils, too. Yes.

The others, less so, but I will admit that I am more than partial to those lovely (again) yellow post-its when compiling (hand-written) lists and always, but always, have one to hand.

 

[yaxomoxay]

Pen and paper. Yes. Always.

Highlighter (in a shade of lemon, please, for preference). Yes, definitely.

Staples, paper clips, brass paper fasteners, yes, yes, yes.

Pencils, too. Yes.

The others, less so, but I will admit that I am more than partial to those lovely (again) yellow post-its when compiling (hand-written) lists and always, but always, have one to hand.

Absolutely, sticky notes are a must, preferably of Post-It brand and certainly yellow in color.

I use three sizes, the typical rectangular small sticky note:



The square medium sized:


And my preferred ones, the lined pad sticky notes, which are perfect for note taking while reading books and longer texts:

 

[yaxomoxay]

While the consequences (currencies with improbable numbers of zeros that had lost all value in any economic or financial or fiscal sense) were the same for both Weimar Germany and the Confederacy, the situation that brought it about differed somewhat.

While (democratic) Weimar Germany printed excess money (to pay for the reparations that had been imposed by the Treaty of Versailles which dealt with matters related to Germany, the Treaties of St- Germain and Trianon dealt with matters pertaining to Austria and Hungary) - and the industrial heartland of Germany, the Ruhr Valley, had been occupied by the French, the underlying economic structure of the country retained considerable potential strength.

It is not a coincidence that the "Beer Hall Putsch" occurred in November 1923, (following the currency collapse, and destruction of the economy), and nor is it a coincidence that Adolf Hitler finally came to power (in January 1933) in the wake of the economic devastation brought about by the effects of the Great Depression on Germany.

In fact, I would go so far as to argue that Hitler would not have come to power - and could not have come to power - without the sort of political havoc and economic chaos wrought by the Great Depression.

This was not the case with the Confederacy, where their currency - which had started the Civil War at parity with the US dollar - started losing value more or less immediately, as the economy - especially after the "Anaconda Plan" (the Northern naval blockade of the South) was put into effect - produced little - it imported everything from the North - and exported hardly anything.

For, the Confederacy was a feudal economy, and, once they were deprived of, and denied access to, (on account of the Northern blockade) the export market for the sole product they produced (which, was, of course, produced under conditions of slavery) for which there was an international market, namely, cotton, their economy was in freefall, a condition reflected in the collapse in the value of their currency.

Most histories of the Civil War (well, the better ones) devote at least a chapter to the economic history of the war, which is fascinating.

However, for those who like to find history in fiction, the book (book, not film/movie) of Gone With The Wind actually covers this territory; the collapse in the value of the currency turns up (in discussions) in several chapters, and Rhett Butler's offers some sharp remarks (during the scene when he is first introduced as a character, at a party just before the war starts) questioning the capacity of a feudal state to handle armed conflict with an industrialized power.

These remarks reflect observations made by William T Sherman in 1860 when he was Superintendent of Louisiana State University, which I will quote because I think it worth reading:

“You people of the South don't know what you are doing. This country will be drenched in blood, and God only knows how it will end. It is all folly, madness, a crime against civilization! You people speak so lightly of war; you don't know what you're talking about.
War is a terrible thing! You mistake, too, the people of the North. They are a peaceable people but an earnest people, and they will fight, too. They are not going to let this country be destroyed without a mighty effort to save it … Besides, where are your men and appliances of war to contend against them? The North can make a steam engine, locomotive, or railway car; hardly a yard of cloth or pair of shoes can you make. You are rushing into war with one of the most powerful, ingeniously mechanical, and determined people on Earth — right at your doors.
You are bound to fail. Only in your spirit and determination are you prepared for war. In all else you are totally unprepared, with a bad cause to start with. At first you will make headway, but as your limited resources begin to fail, shut out from the markets of Europe as you will be, your cause will begin to wane. If your people will but stop and think, they must see in the end that you will surely fail.”

Beautiful, beautiful post. You single-handedly convinced me to read Gone with the wind.

 

[Clix Pix]

I'm another who still uses pen and paper for a lot of things, and I keep a magnetic calendar on the refrigerator for easy noting of appointment times and locations, etc. I play the Wordle game daily, and frequently use pen and paper to jot down potential winning words, especially when there are a number of possible answers, before committing any to the game on the computer screen. Grocery lists are still handwritten, and I keep a pad and pen on a counter in the kitchen for easy and quick notations when I notice that I'm running low or totally out of something.

Oh, and yes, Sticky Post-it notes are an essential item to always have at hand in this household!

 

[yaxomoxay]

I'm another who still uses pen and paper for a lot of things, and I keep a magnetic calendar on the refrigerator for easy noting of appointment times and locations, etc. I play the Wordle game daily, and frequently use pen and paper to jot down potential winning words, especially when there are a number of possible answers, before committing any to the game on the computer screen. Grocery lists are still handwritten, and I keep a pad and pen on a counter in the kitchen for easy and quick notations when I notice that I'm running low or totally out of something.

Oh, and yes, Sticky Post-it notes are an essential item to always have at hand in this household!

Grocery lists is something I switched to digital, using AnyList.

Reason 1: I lose them. I usually don’t lose papers but grocery lists are an exception. I once lost a list while driving between the house and the store. My wife still makes fun of that.

Reason 2: shared list. It’s incredibly useful. My wife notices that we need milk? Added. I see that we need eggs? Added to the same list. Kid sees that we must buy essential Cheetos? Added. Our time figuring out what we need is minor now.

Reason 3: easy check off. At the story I just read, click. Done. Once added to my cart the item disappears from the screen.

Reason 4: no need to transcribe. Something wasn’t available? It stays on the list. No need to remember to write it on the new list.

 

[Clix Pix]

Using digital tech for grocery lists makes sense when there is a family involved -- in my case it is just me, no one else, so paper and pen works fine. Yes, when I get home from the store after I've put things away before I toss out the grocery list I quickly jot down anything that I couldn't get because of unavailability and that starts the new list....

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Using digital tech for grocery lists makes sense when there is a family involved -- in my case it is just me, no one else, so paper and pen works fine. Yes, when I get home from the store after I've put things away before I toss out the grocery list I quickly jot down anything that I couldn't get because of unavailability and that starts the new list....

Exactly.

Items purchased, (or attended to) are ticked off, - physically doing this is strangely satisfying - and a fresh list then compiled, comprising that stuff that wasn't bought, attended to, or ticked off on the list.

And, for longer lists, a quick glance at the (neatly transcribed sticky post-it list) while I am out and about serves as a reminder and a refresher; these days, they are invaluable.

 

[dan.snickersnee]

I'm another who still uses pen and paper for a lot of things, and I keep a magnetic calendar on the refrigerator for easy noting of appointment times and locations, etc. I play the Wordle game daily, and frequently use pen and paper to jot down potential winning words, especially when there are a number of possible answers, before committing any to the game on the computer screen. Grocery lists are still handwritten, and I keep a pad and pen on a counter in the kitchen for easy and quick notations when I notice that I'm running low or totally out of something.

Oh, and yes, Sticky Post-it notes are an essential item to always have at hand in this household!

I also use pen and paper for a lot of things. I find that it helps me to organize my thoughts and to remember things better. I even use it for brainstorming new ideas. I think that there's something about the physical act of writing that helps me to think more clearly. And, of course, I can always look back at my handwritten notes and papers to remind myself of what I was thinking at the time 😄

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Beautiful, beautiful post. You single-handedly convinced me to read Gone with the wind.

Yes, the book has received considerable (and justified) criticism for its relatively sympathetic portrayal of the South, its socio-economic & cultural perspective (re slavery), racism, and the benevolent treatment of the KKK.

However, it is a fascinating social (political and economic) history, - and, for all of its flaws, is both very well written and very readable - for Margaret Mitchell didn't just grow up in the South, but, as a child and young person, she heard (literally at the knees of, or on the laps of, relatives who were veterans of the war or, who had lived through it and its aftermath) first hand accounts of what this experience was like, living memory stuff.

She was also very aware of - and understood - underlying economic and social patterns, and made clear, in interviews, and observations, that she was extremely interested in what made societies develop, grow, survive, or completely collapse, and how people - who came from a similar background, with similar educations, privilege, formations and attitudes, - how some survived catastrophic collapse while others never recovered from having their privileged lives stripped away from them.

Why does one country - or person - survive and thrive in conditions of collapse, while others do not?

Some of the conversations - dialogues - between characters in the book which touch on this sort of stuff are absolutely fascinating.

 

[scubachap]

I also use pen and paper for a lot of things. I find that it helps me to organize my thoughts and to remember things better. I even use it for brainstorming new ideas. I think that there's something about the physical act of writing that helps me to think more clearly. And, of course, I can always look back at my handwritten notes and papers to remind myself of what I was thinking at the time 😄

Just looking at a new mono laser printer and a big stack of reams of A4 ready to be packed up that I've bought for one of my daughters' who's not long started at university. Despite being a 'digital native' she just can't cope with trying to read all her provided texts, coursework etc directly off small screens etc and is struggling with comprehension as a result. "... but everything's online Dad"... Her friend on a different course also struggled and has also done the same and just bought a printer too - I have no doubt that at some point someone, somewhere will eventually realise that all these students are printing off the same stuff, and it might be a good opportunity to make a few quid by collating all this course info - printing it commercially as it's cheaper, bind it all up and sell them to the students. .. Now we'll just need to think of some sort of name for this idea - well, its lots of pages of text bound up into a book, I wonder?

 

[Clix Pix]

You'd have to deal with copyright issues, though, if printing material which has already been printed in textbooks or course workbooks, and the professor or instructor of the class would also own the rights to the course curriculum that he or she created, so while pulling everything together and printing it up for your daughter or a friend or two is one thing, actually selling all that and profiting from it would be a no-go.

 

[scubachap]

You'd have to deal with copyright issues, though, if printing material which has already been printed in textbooks or course workbooks, and the professor or instructor of the class would also own the rights to the course curriculum that he or she created, so while pulling everything together and printing it up for your daughter or a friend or two is one thing, actually selling all that and profiting from it would be a no-go.

Sorry, it was a (probably opaque) joke, referencing the lack of text books for courses these days... Just as I'm certain at some point some bright spark in accounts in an online delivery warehouse will realise that actually if they could just incentivise their customers to pick and collect their goods themselves that are piled up in their great shed like warehouses it would cut their costs dramatically... Everything come full circle in the ned...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Last night, the clocks went back, heralding what is probably the single most depressing day of the year for me, as I know that the light (and the length of the day) will take four more months before it returns to what it was yesterday (a day of veritable downpours, granted).

 

[Clix Pix]

You have my sympathy, SS! We have another week here in the US to enjoy Daylight Savings Time, but our turn is coming, all too soon.... I am hoping that over the next several months that a decision is finally made on the part of our legislators that we go to Daylight Savings Time permanently when we make the switch in March 2023, so that we can just be done with this nonsense.

 

[decafjava]

Ahh yes, today is the reason I like November and January the least in the year (Xmas festivities alleviate somewhat December) sun sets in 15 minutes or so and now I will be leaving work in the dark.

Regarding the retro love for pen, paper and other old school writing implements I must say that my director would agree with you. He writes very nicely and always writes notes for work instructions and uses a journal to keep track of work and personal dates. We chipped in and got him a Montblanc fountain pen for his birthday which he greatly appreciates and uses.

I on the other hand bless the digital age as my handwriting has always been, to say the least, subpar. Even worse is over 4 years ago I had to have my index and middle finger of my right hand amputated - and I am right-handed. I have largely adapted but have a more difficult time to write - I can write slowly with my right hand (as to sign documents) and despite practice can't learn to write left-handed. So thank goodness and human ingenuity for computers and smartphones. But I still admire handwritten documents and paper books.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Last night, the clocks went back, heralding what is probably the single most depressing day of the year for me, as I know that the light (and the length of the day) will take four more months before it returns to what it was yesterday (a day of veritable downpours, granted).

We had a mixture of rain and sun. So still managed a walk.
But yes no fan of going to and from work in the dark everyday. I have enough reasons to hate November and December. At least by January the days start to get longer.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Ahh yes, today is the reason I like November and January the least in the year (Xmas festivities alleviate somewhat December) sun sets in 15 minutes or so and now I will be leaving work in the dark.

Regarding the retro love for pen, paper and other old school writing implements I must say that my director would agree with you. He writes very nicely and always writes notes for work instructions and uses a journal to keep track of work and personal dates. We chipped in and got him a Montblanc fountain pen for his birthday which he greatly appreciates and uses.

I on the other hand bless the digital age as my handwriting has always been, to say the least, subpar. Even worse is over 4 years ago I had to have my index and middle finger of my right hand amputated - and I am right-handed. I have largely adapted but have a more difficult time to write - I can write slowly with my right hand (as to sign documents) and despite practice can't learn to write left-handed. So thank goodness and human ingenuity for computers and smartphones. But I still admire handwritten documents and paper books.

Nope Xmas is the worst. Always enjoy December 26th. As far as you can get away from one of the most depressing days of the year.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

We had a mixture of rain and sun. So still managed a walk.
But yes no fan of going to and from work in the dark everyday. I have enough reasons to hate November and December. At least by January the days start to get longer.

Agreed.

I hear you.

I also have reasons to hate December (yesterday, I realized that I really miss my mother, - certainly, as she was before dementia claimed her mind, memory and marbles - that lively, lovely, funny, fiercely intelligent woman with whom I laughed and talked endlessly, miss being able to chat with her, tease her, talk things through with her, laugh with her, discuss books, politics and plays...)

And I have always detested November and January.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Nope Xmas is the worst. Always enjoy December 26th. As far as you can get away from one of the most depressing days of the year.

Not a fan of Christmas either.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Not a fan of Christmas either.

Unfortunately no one lets you choose to just ignore it. People expect you to participate in it all. But we won’t so much as send or open a card. It’s just another day. I’ll probably garden or work if the weather is crap.

 

[Clix Pix]

I stopped bothering with Christmas cards a long time ago. There was a time when I made my own, then I went back to buying them, then gradually began reducing the number I was sending out.....and with the internet, texting, email, etc., it dawned on me one year that buying, addressing, writing notes on and sending cards just doesn't seem useful any more so I quit doing it and really don't miss it at all. I text and email my holiday greetings to family and friends and of course also have phone conversations with them either on Christmas Day itself or right before or just after. Works for us!

 

[dan.snickersnee]

Just looking at a new mono laser printer and a big stack of reams of A4 ready to be packed up that I've bought for one of my daughters' who's not long started at university. Despite being a 'digital native' she just can't cope with trying to read all her provided texts, coursework etc directly off small screens etc and is struggling with comprehension as a result. "... but everything's online Dad"... Her friend on a different course also struggled and has also done the same and just bought a printer too - I have no doubt that at some point someone, somewhere will eventually realise that all these students are printing off the same stuff, and it might be a good opportunity to make a few quid by collating all this course info - printing it commercially as it's cheaper, bind it all up and sell them to the students. .. Now we'll just need to think of some sort of name for this idea - well, its lots of pages of text bound up into a book, I wonder?

yeah, it's much more convenient and cheaper. it should be for every discipline👍

 

[yaxomoxay]

Just looking at a new mono laser printer and a big stack of reams of A4 ready to be packed up that I've bought for one of my daughters' who's not long started at university. Despite being a 'digital native' she just can't cope with trying to read all her provided texts, coursework etc directly off small screens etc and is struggling with comprehension as a result. "... but everything's online Dad"... Her friend on a different course also struggled and has also done the same and just bought a printer too - I have no doubt that at some point someone, somewhere will eventually realise that all these students are printing off the same stuff, and it might be a good opportunity to make a few quid by collating all this course info - printing it commercially as it's cheaper, bind it all up and sell them to the students. .. Now we'll just need to think of some sort of name for this idea - well, its lots of pages of text bound up into a book, I wonder?

I noticed the same issue with my kids - and myself at work. What truly pisses me off is that there is no effing standard, I saw it at college level and high school level. What I mean is that teachers will use different systems each requiring different logins and different GUI (this regardless if the starting point is the district’s website). Then, each teacher communicates in very different ways. You have the teacher that never sends an email for which the syllabus is a 50 page long gospel with precise dates. Then you have the creative teacher that sends information in weekly pamphlets using JPG (obviously non searchable). Then you have the teacher that mixes paper and online. Then you have the teacher that writes daily long emails with the expectation that they’re read in full.

As a parent, it’s a struggle to keep up with the BS. I think that most kids just ride with the flow. I used to think that it’s because I am older, but I now think that the system is just a mess. I miss the old days with a book on paper, papers, and the “what to do” was a simple calendar in addition to a weekly agenda. It was much easier and clearer.