Obviously I do not pay full attention, or I would have caught my omitted "o" which should be "too" poor, and all the more sorry. Yet now to add, I fear we'll never see "the collected emails of so-and-so" which makes actual "hard copy" letters all the more precious.
As long as we keep reading writing, we are eternally embiggened. Unfortunately, I am an old fart retired and on minimal income, sadly unable to contribute to the cause. I am, however, a person who loves reading and writing letters, emboldened by the regular e-mails you send. I continue to "educate" my dear grandchildren that there is still an art to taking pen to paper. They find this crazy-making. We currently remain at the elementary stage of postcards, but I have high hopes. Their spirit embiggens me as well!
These days writing emails may often be no more than like passing notes in class, as we did when we were school kids.
Now that form I imagine is met by texting or tweeting.
But emailing can still be like sending a letter composed on a typewriter with the computer serving merely as high-tech amanuensis.
Hand-writing certainly achieves a closer degree of contact and revelatory expression because of the visible shape the words take, and the artifact of which they are a part.
Emails can never attain the power of a tear-stained letter, sealed with a kiss.
But what's really important is not the medium, despite Marshall McLuhan's assertion that it is the message.
Form and style do shape that, and presentation does impact reception (as these comments, and their format illustrate in their way).
But ultimately what we're talking about here are mind to mind, and heart to heart connections.
To be a faithful correspondent, by whatever means, remains a high calling and intimate contact we all hold dear, as such communications most notably begin.
For me, reading "The Collected Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson" confirmed the literary worth of that genre, and set a standard to which I aspire.
Whether in email or on paper, by postcard or through cyberspace, I write to you, and hope you "hear" me, and will reply somehow in someway, soon.
Another one who can't afford to upgrade, but loves your work.
I find the whole paragraphs in bold type useful, because my eyes don't work as well as they used to. So thank you for at least giving it a trial, even if the rest of the world votes me down!
The bigger type works very well for reading on a phone. For some reason the quotes came through coloured grey on that device, which would have made reading smaller type very difficult!
I am rather pleased with your proper use of the word “embiggen.” Well done.
Sorry to be to poor to upgrade to paid, but I pay attention in full, and greatly appreciate your work. Thank you & write on!
p.s. Like Groucho Marx, I have a propensity for post scripts. Maybe you might feature those sometime.
For short quotes I like the bold text. For longer quotes I preferred the in-line paragraph text.
Obviously I do not pay full attention, or I would have caught my omitted "o" which should be "too" poor, and all the more sorry. Yet now to add, I fear we'll never see "the collected emails of so-and-so" which makes actual "hard copy" letters all the more precious.
A wonderful lot of possibilities from a single root, and such great examples. Thank you.
Embiggened? My vocabulary is being stretched muchly
As long as we keep reading writing, we are eternally embiggened. Unfortunately, I am an old fart retired and on minimal income, sadly unable to contribute to the cause. I am, however, a person who loves reading and writing letters, emboldened by the regular e-mails you send. I continue to "educate" my dear grandchildren that there is still an art to taking pen to paper. They find this crazy-making. We currently remain at the elementary stage of postcards, but I have high hopes. Their spirit embiggens me as well!
Love the phrase "the throne of presumption" The idea is very popular these days.
Zora Neale Hurston is my favorite. Love that photo too.
Note: "The Death of Letter-Writing"
https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/09/for-the-week-of-1110-the-death-of-letter-writing/?searchResultPosition=1
November 9, 2013 ~ by Mason Currey
My quickly posted comment, November 12, 2013 --
These days writing emails may often be no more than like passing notes in class, as we did when we were school kids.
Now that form I imagine is met by texting or tweeting.
But emailing can still be like sending a letter composed on a typewriter with the computer serving merely as high-tech amanuensis.
Hand-writing certainly achieves a closer degree of contact and revelatory expression because of the visible shape the words take, and the artifact of which they are a part.
Emails can never attain the power of a tear-stained letter, sealed with a kiss.
But what's really important is not the medium, despite Marshall McLuhan's assertion that it is the message.
Form and style do shape that, and presentation does impact reception (as these comments, and their format illustrate in their way).
But ultimately what we're talking about here are mind to mind, and heart to heart connections.
To be a faithful correspondent, by whatever means, remains a high calling and intimate contact we all hold dear, as such communications most notably begin.
For me, reading "The Collected Letters of Robert Louis Stevenson" confirmed the literary worth of that genre, and set a standard to which I aspire.
Whether in email or on paper, by postcard or through cyberspace, I write to you, and hope you "hear" me, and will reply somehow in someway, soon.
Another one who can't afford to upgrade, but loves your work.
I find the whole paragraphs in bold type useful, because my eyes don't work as well as they used to. So thank you for at least giving it a trial, even if the rest of the world votes me down!
The bigger type works very well for reading on a phone. For some reason the quotes came through coloured grey on that device, which would have made reading smaller type very difficult!
Discovering Letters of Note one random peak-pandemic evening has been a gift that keeps on giving. Thanks, Shaun :)
Looking forward to Letters Live in Delhi soon. *nudge *nudge
I wish EB White had written more children's books.