Facing a Harsh Reality
(Typecast on Underwood Universal)
Post-Script: I hadn't intended on going all political on you, so forgive me for that. As for my idea about discussing private typewriter journalism, that will have to wait for another day, except to say that, for typewriters to inhabit a deeper part of our lives, we will have to move beyond typecasting as a means of discussing typewriters and get into the space where they play important roles as valuable, day-to-day domestic tools.
posted by Joe V at 10:48 AM
5 Comments:
I agree with you, Joe. I am happy to share that while my public typecasting has been on a downward trend, my typewriter usage has been on the rise. Its mostly personal, but I've really turned the manual typewriter into an indispensable daily tool.
Hi Joe, refreshing and perceptive as usual. Before WW2 we had plain ol' greed-fuelled imperialism. Post WW2, the peacemakers sell the same imperalism on the back of paranoia that there's another despot out there, ready for genocide. And if there's none to be found - the west will educate, arm and fund one. It seems to give our governments a sense of purpose. The trouble with democracy is we only have ourselves to blame. Then again...
Given the level of surveillance and control being exerted over all our online doings - and is there anything left that we do on our computers that isn't online, at this point? - I wonder if a return to typewritten (and handwritten) journals will arise out of a desire to have a simple sense of private dignity again. Likewise typewritten letters. The Feds don't hesitate to record all the traffic that occurs on the internet and archive it forever, but for whatever reason, they haven't started to open and read our private paper correspondence. Yet. The paper letter may be the last method we have of talking in private with another person at a distance.
Having lived in Bisbee for 5 years, I too have experienced many of the thoughts you describe.
We traveled to New Mexico and points east many, many times. If you're ever that way again, go EAST from Bisbee through Douglas, then north on Hwy. 80 past Geronimo's last stand, and up into the extreme western border of NM. Hooks up to I-10 near Lordsburg.
I like using my typewriter for my blog, but as you may have noticed, it's not always about typewriters. And why not? There are many Typospherians FAR more knowledgeable about these machines than I; let them work their typewriter magic!
Sad but true, Joe. I often wonder on how much better the US - and Mexico - would fare if the ugly exchange of guns and drugs were to cease.
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