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Actually, pen & paper have magical properties, which are probably backed up by some psychology, which is not known to me (yet?). Obviously, things like geometry
by kaitnieks 15y ago
Actually, pen & paper have magical properties, which are probably backed up by some psychology, which is not known to me (yet?). Obviously, things like geometry for games & effects, drawing interface mockups and others involving visual diagrams are much easier to do on paper, but also things like creating project estimates by splitting it in subtasks, writing a list of features & ideas to consider etc - basically creative induction of lists, works better on paper even though you would think computer would be better for it, since you can insert and move around text. It's like when I sit at the computer, my creativity shuts, but when I sit at the paper, it starts flowing.
- rdtsc 15y ago> which are probably backed up by some psychology Don't have actual research references, but I always remember notes I write by hand better than the ones I type. I suspect it is a neuro-motor function of some sort. When things are recalled the brain perhaps recalls the movement of the fingers and that aids. It is like smell perhaps for emotional things -- very effective.
- askar_yu 15y agohearing these two posts made my a bit happier; to be honest. I'd felt that there is something "wrong" with me being not as comfortable in typing as I am with pen and paper. Yes, I am more productive with plain pen and paper and I will stick to it.
- chime 15y ago> also things like creating project estimates by splitting it in subtasks, writing a list of features & ideas to consider etc - basically creative induction of lists While I agree with you overall with regards to pen & paper's magical properties, I'd disagree with you on this particular point solely because I created a web-based app last year to solve this exact problem for myself. I cannot do problem-solving on a computer and have to write out variables and formulas on paper but I find making lists on paper a chore, especially since I have bad handwriting. My text app helps address that because it is just like a text-editor with tabs and code-folding. Workflowy.com is another alternative and it offers a lot more features. I love pen and paper for hashing out ideas and concepts but I will never go back when it comes to lists.
- rooshdi 15y agoYea, I find that sometimes happens to me too. With a pen and pad, it seems like my mind just subconsciously clears out all the potential distractions and translates that brain power to creative uses. Almost like it's optimizing for what it expects me to do.
- iworkforthem 15y agoI think with a pen & paper we are actually focused on completing the tasks written down, instead of working to record the stuffs to do into the productivity system.
- officemonkey 15y agoExactly. With a pen and paper, YOU have to be the system. You have to be more conscious, present, and aware when you make decisions.