Introductions
I chose this image because when prompted to think of a photo taken around text this image came to mind. It was taken last summer at my family cottage after our wedding. My husband and I got married in Whistler but had a big family party in Kingston and wanted to finish our Thank you cards before flying to Bristol for a final wedding party (international couple – first world problem!). We were gifted with a cool, rainy day, not very common at the cottage in the summer, and set to work, writing out as many as we could! We took the time to hand stamp each card and were pleased to be getting something done, after months of planning had paid off and we were thankful for our wonderful families who had celebrated with us!
But more to the point – I chose this picture because of what I believe text has symbolized and how it’s shifting. I wonder what will happen to regular mail in the years to come. Since early days, mail has been the primary means of communication. The telegram, telephone and fax altered people’s dependence of hand-written correspondence, but not enough for it to be a lost art. Today, mail is actually under risk of becoming obsolete. We can communicate in so many other ways now and that is exactly what my students are doing! A birthday email is great! Sending a text to catch up, the perfect means of communication! In fact – it makes me wonder if we’re more connected than we’ve ever been before, because we can communicate so easily now!
Thank you’s
And yet, through all this, text itself, remains vital. It is just its form that is changing. I am excited and curious to see what I will learn in this course and how my understanding of technology and text will expand. I like to think of myself as willing to change as required, but I will always cherish receiving a letter from someone I love and opening up the envelope to find their hand-written note full of care and love. I will continue to enjoy sending a parcel, taking the time to wrap everything just so, thinking of the person who will enjoy unwrapping it, and the smile on their face! Can we make text experiences in technology equally or more rewarding than that?
writing thank you’s!
Welcome Sarah!
Such a meaningful image and text connection!! You are so incredibly right when you mention that hand written letters and parcels are going to the wayside… it is becoming a lost art. However, that means it is also becoming a much more meaningful way to communicate, knowing someone has taken the extra time and effort to hand print / write a letter… get the envelope and stamp…. go to the postal box…. it symbolizes a gift of time, which is a precious commodity, indeed!
Thank you for sharing!
Tina
So true Tina and Sarah;
I had a birthday recently and going to the physical mail box wasn’t so much fun. In today’s world the gift of time is precious. While keeping in touch, especially with our elders, is fine by telephone, a handwritten note can do wonders to boost their disposition especially in the rereading. I love it when I discover old cards and letters in the back of a drawer or in a box. Memories don’t seem to come back in the same way when I’m cleaning out my email.
Terry
Hi Sarah,
Great to see you again and what a nice post! Your post reminds me of a recent issue / task that I’ve had to complete as part of the wedding planning rituals – sending invitations. I think your post captures the importance of sending an invitation or a thank you note in the mail perfectly. Initially, my fiancé convinced me that an evite would suffice which I totally agreed with – less time? less money? easy rsvp? why not? It seems like the obvious answer. After some discussion with my parents and his, it was evident that the traditions of sending hand written notes and letters has not left us completely yet. As a result, we ended up sending out beautiful printing press invites and I couldn’t be more pleased with the result. I think that your post touches on the importance of having a more authentic interaction with individuals. Do you think that this will ever be achieved using the internet as a medium? While we figure this out I will continue to enjoy my hand written notes in the mail. Thanks Sarah!
Laura
Thanks Laura! We had so much fun being creative with our RSVP and Invite using print – that when it came to our thank you’s we went quick and simple – but they turned out really effective either way! People really appreciate that you took time to make something – or played a part in the process.
You’ve asked a good question – I don’t know if the internet will ever achieve the same effect as receiving a good letter in the mail – but it does feel good when someone takes the time to write you an update email – where it’s someone who you’re only in touch with a few times a year and you may text occasionally, but they live far away, so most of your interaction is by email, or through facebook – you know what they’re up to but you don’t talk enough! Those emails bring on such similar emotions to a letter for me. I wonder what will do it for our students?
I’ll never stop loving sending packages to friends and family though – I love wrapping it all up to send it off, knowing it will make them smile!
Hi Sarah,
Lovely image of your invitations, thank you for sharing it! I think there is room for appreciating handwritten letters in a world filled with rapidly changing text technologies. This course is going to be challenging and yet, I think very fun at the same time. Looking forward to working with you over the summer.
~Sandra
Hi Sarah, and everyone else!
It’s an interesting time we live in! Funny how mundane opening the mailbox and finding mail used to be. Suddenly emails were amazing. Now when we find a handwritten letter we are often overjoyed and it seems the opposite is true for email. The surge of refurbished typewriters and stores like The Regional Assembly of Text (http://www.assemblyoftext.com) are cool to see. I hope this isn’t just a fad.
It’s for these reasons that you all mentioned and more that I presently have my class writing and sending pen-pal letters to the UK – they’ve never been so excited to write.
Thanks for bringing up this topic!
Matt
Hi Sarah,
Great to see you again my friend. I agree with you Matt. This is a strange yet interesting times. The subjects which we were considered to be society taboos are now being tackled with great interest. Internet not only has a significant influence on people’s lives, moreover, it has great effect on languages and how people write and communicate with each other.
Great idea Matt! I should get my students writing more letters – especially to students around the world!
Great to see you again Mehdia! I am looking forward to working with you all this summer!
Great picture, Sarah! I want to come to your parties! 🙂
I wonder about the mail all the time. Especially since I am arguably using it more with online shopping. Which I do too much of! (Don’t tell my boyfriend!)