rhea137: Dull Tool Dim Bulb: Cross Writing Cross Eyed Dull Tool Dim Bulb Greatest Hit Cross writing was a technique to save paper when paper was scarce. Every scrap mattered at one time (one of these is dated 1823) so the writer, upon reaching the end of the page, would turn the paper 90 degrees and add a second layer of text. Once it becomes familiar, the mind adapts easily and cross written letters are surprisingly legible. Charles Darwin famously used the technique.

rhea137:

Dull Tool Dim Bulb: Cross Writing Cross Eyed Dull Tool Dim Bulb Greatest Hit

Cross writing was a technique to save paper when paper was scarce. Every scrap mattered at one time (one of these is dated 1823) so the writer, upon reaching the end of the page, would turn the paper 90 degrees and add a second layer of text. Once it becomes familiar, the mind adapts easily and cross written letters are surprisingly legible. Charles Darwin famously used the technique.

8 months ago  58 notes View Larger Image view comments

For this invention will encourage forgetfulness in the minds that use it because they will not practice their memory. Their trust in writing, produced by external characters which are no part of themselves, will discourage the use of their own memory within them. You have invented an elixir not of memory but of reminding and you offer your pupils the appearance of wisdom not true wisdom.
–

Plato on writing, the New Media of his day. 

via James Gleick’s The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood.  This book is really, really good. 

(via dominickbrady)

(via theatlantic)

8 months ago  62 notes view comments

rhea137: Dull Tool Dim Bulb: Cross Writing Cross Eyed Dull Tool Dim Bulb Greatest Hit Cross writing was a technique to save paper when paper was scarce. Every scrap mattered at one time (one of these is dated 1823) so the writer, upon reaching the end of the page, would turn the paper 90 degrees and add a second layer of text. Once it becomes familiar, the mind adapts easily and cross written letters are surprisingly legible. Charles Darwin famously used the technique.

rhea137:

Dull Tool Dim Bulb: Cross Writing Cross Eyed Dull Tool Dim Bulb Greatest Hit

Cross writing was a technique to save paper when paper was scarce. Every scrap mattered at one time (one of these is dated 1823) so the writer, upon reaching the end of the page, would turn the paper 90 degrees and add a second layer of text. Once it becomes familiar, the mind adapts easily and cross written letters are surprisingly legible. Charles Darwin famously used the technique.

For this invention will encourage forgetfulness in the minds that use it because they will not practice their memory. Their trust in writing, produced by external characters which are no part of themselves, will discourage the use of their own memory within them. You have invented an elixir not of memory but of reminding and you offer your pupils the appearance of wisdom not true wisdom.
–

Plato on writing, the New Media of his day. 

via James Gleick’s The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood.  This book is really, really good. 

(via dominickbrady)

(via theatlantic)

"For this invention will encourage forgetfulness in the minds that use it because they will not practice their memory. Their trust in writing, produced by external characters which are no part of themselves, will discourage the use of their own memory within them. You have invented an elixir not of memory but of reminding and you offer your pupils the appearance of wisdom not true wisdom."

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