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by ProllyInfamous 1366 days ago
I still use a typewriter for daily correspondence (both personal and business). This reduces the procrastination of editing and allows for more meaningful, personal, and distraction-free writings.

Using a modern word processor definitely allows for better revision / saving / duplication, but most writings shouldn't require so much thought / preparation. Not having a display to distract while thinking definitely allows the author to focus.

2 comments

> This reduces the procrastination of editing and allows for more meaningful, personal, and distraction-free writings.

I experience a similar kind of perfectionist-anxiety-induced procrastination when I write, and it’s always bothered me that none of the “distraction-free” writing apps (I use Ulysses) that come with typewriter modes[1] don’t have an option to disable backspace or even re-map it to strikethrough.

1. https://ghost-staging.ulysses.app/typewriter-mode/

The original mechanical keyboard.

I'd actually enjoy having a typewriter and being locked somewhere far and not have to think about build times. I remember an interview with a hacker who wrote code on paper while he was in jail, said it was extremely productive for him. A lot of modern writers also use typewriters so they can focus better without internet access.