Monkeys and Typewriters

I recall reading somewhere that John Steinbeck wrote all of his manuscripts in pencil, only to have them transcribed later. It seems to me that his way of writing might be considered truly organic, much as creativity should be. While by modern standards, it would be an immense waste of time to go about writing a novel in such a way (I know I can’t live without spell check and thesaurus options) there really is something to it.

The computer, as marvelous a technological advancement as it may be, is ultimately sterile. It relies on a living being to manipulate it and to give it life. While there is no doubt in my mind that computers and technology facilitate and enable human beings to be creative and accomplish great artistic feats; I’m pretty sure there weren’t any CAD programs involved in building the pyramids (just lots and lots of forced labor).

I think where I’m trying to go with this precious little diatribe of mine, is simply to the roots of creativity; which are fundamentally human and organic. Most great ideas start in that gray mush between peoples’ ears, not in the mystical confines of computers.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not writing this from a cabin in the woods, while staring at my homemade bicycle and contemplating ways to bring an end to the ills of technology (although my manifesto is available upon request). I think what I am saying is that as human beings, we could all do with a little appreciation of what humanity itself can accomplish. When you think about it, people are pretty neat creatures, when we’re not busy destroying ourselves that is.

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