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The cheap pen that changed writing forever

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Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#61

Post by Shared404 »

wombatmobile wrote: post #54
Shared404 wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I personally try to avoid things manufactured in China due to ethical objections [0]. I don't expect everyone to do so, but I think it's the right thing to do, where possible. [0] https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2020/03/05/china-move...

I understand how you could feel compelled to take action against the perpetrators of forced labor camps. Slavery is abhorrent. I am with you in wanting to contribute to ending slavery, and other race based methods of oppression. Certainly I do not want my consumer dollars to support oppression. With respect to the subject of this article, is a China pen boycott an effective way to protest treatment of the Uyghurs? Th…

Edit: Those who make this argument sarcastically remind me of [0].

I would rather do something than nothing, and if I can try to avoid companies which have suspect supply chains, than why shouldn't I?

[0] https://xkcd.com/2368/

Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#62

Post by wombatmobile »

wombatmobile wrote: post #54
Shared404 wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I personally try to avoid things manufactured in China due to ethical objections [0]. I don't expect everyone to do so, but I think it's the right thing to do, where possible. [0] https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2020/03/05/china-move...

I understand how you could feel compelled to take action against the perpetrators of forced labor camps. Slavery is abhorrent. I am with you in wanting to contribute to ending slavery, and other race based methods of oppression. Certainly I do not want my consumer dollars to support oppression. With respect to the subject of this article, is a China pen boycott an effective way to protest treatment of the Uyghurs? Th…

> if I can try to avoid companies which have suspect supply chains, than why shouldn't I?

I think you should avoid suspect supply chains. How could you read my comment any other way?

Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#63

Post by dmurray »

asib wrote: post #56
woofie11 wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Intense, short loads, with long recovery breaks in between build muscles and strengthen tendons. That's lifting weights at the gym. Writing and typing is continuous, repetitive strain with no recovery. That's the killer.

Wouldn't you describe cardio as continuous, repetitive strain with no recovery? I would've assumed writing is more of an endurance type of strain, but perhaps the strain due to writing occurs at an intensity that is analogous to lifting weights.

Cardio mainly exercises your lungs and heart, which is built differently from most of your muscles (it's designed for constant use). Also if you eat too much, it's good for burning up excess calories.

It has mixed benefits for the rest of your body. You'll improve your muscle tone a bit through running or cycling or swimming, but repetitive strain injuries are also a risk.

For most people, the benefits of cardio far outweigh the downsides, but on balance it's not necessarily good for your joints and ligaments.

Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#64

Post by Shared404 »

wombatmobile wrote: post #62
wombatmobile wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I understand how you could feel compelled to take action against the perpetrators of forced labor camps. Slavery is abhorrent. I am with you in wanting to contribute to ending slavery, and other race based methods of oppression. Certainly I do not want my consumer dollars to support oppression. With respect to the subject of this article, is a China pen boycott an effective way to protest treatment of the Uyghurs? Th…

> if I can try to avoid companies which have suspect supply chains, than why shouldn't I? I think you should avoid suspect supply chains. How could you read my comment any other way?

I had read it as sarcastic originally, my apologies.

Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#65

Post by wombatmobile »

Shared404 wrote: post #64
wombatmobile wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> if I can try to avoid companies which have suspect supply chains, than why shouldn't I? I think you should avoid suspect supply chains. How could you read my comment any other way?

I had read it as sarcastic originally, my apologies.

Thank you for your understanding. I am glad we can talk about a mass produced consumer product in the full context of the social relations of its manufacture.

Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#66

Post by stevewillows »

I use a mix of pens. Often a Pilot Metropolitan fountain pen, Marvy Le Pen (almost felt-like), and also gel rollers from Muji (0.38, 0.5, 0.7).

Overall, the Le Pen is my favorite, but I notice an improvement in style and consistency with the fountain pen.

I think one of the main differences between 'the old days' and what we're taught now is that we're not raised to write from the shoulder, which can lead to extra strain and exhaustion. I'm still not great with this, but when I make a concerted effort to write like this, I find that my writing is far more consistent and effortless.

Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#67

Post by CamelCaseName »

grimgrin wrote: post #25

not entirely related, but my buddy is sitting on ballpoint.com he isn’t a squatter but it’d be nice if he could flip it no doubt. maybe in 1945 ;)

Visited the domain, wasn't sure what I expected, but I laughed. (https://www.ballpoint.com for easy access)

Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#68

Post by adolph »

wombatmobile wrote: post #58
Cancan82 wrote: post #6

I recently switched to a fountain pen - way easier to write with and way less tension. Neil Gaiman suggested it and so I gave it a shot. Never going back - my handwriting is better (but I write cursive) and it is easier to write longer without strain. That said - super cool story.

I love fountain pens too, and recently tried to switch back to my classic Parker 45. Sadly, the plastic lining of the reservoir had perished, so the pen wouldn't suck ink up. I tried a replacement reservoir, but it didn't work. So I tried a different type, with a screw based impeller mechanism, and got ink all over my fingers and desk. Some of the ink went up into the reservoir, but wouldn't flow back down through th…

I'm new to fountains and enjoy my Lamy Safari even if it is inexpensive plastic. The refillable reservoir is of the screw-suction type but I don't use it that way. I use an inexpensive syringe to transfer ink.

https://www.jetpens.com/JetPens-Ink-Syringe/pd/22182

Re: The cheap pen that changed writing forever

#70

Post by wdb »

kaonwarb wrote: post #2

One side effect not discussed here: how the shift to ballpoint pens increased hand strain [0]. Writing with a fountain pen is relatively effortless - not to deny it has several other drawbacks. I imagine this is part of why, as an elementary school student in France, I was required to write with only fountain pens. [0] https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/08/ballp...

I prefer writing with fountain pen, you don't get that scratching feeling like you have with a ballpoint.
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