Overall this task was very humbling. I thought it would be an easy process however as evident through my potato (yam) printing it did not go well. First of all I did not have any potatoes so I was off to a tough start. I then didn’t have one large enough to write 5 letters…so I ended up with 3 which was challenging enough for me. It was challenging to create a precise line or outline the stamp. It actually took me over 30 minutes just to create the stamp. I am not a very patient person so it took a lot of will power to not switch to the other optional task and scrap the stamp altogether. The letters I chose had both straight lines and curves. Originally I thought the curves would be harder but the straight lines were no easier. The lowest point of the potato stamp creation was realizing I had not mirrored the image so it was legible once stamped, ultimately making my stamp useless.
It took me a lot of time and effort to create my 3 letter word it. This was upfront work that once I was printing paid off in efficiency. Now that I created that word I would not have to do it again therefore speeding up the mechanization of writing. It also standardized the print. As long as I had the same amount of paint on the stamp it always turned out essentially the same. This is beneficial in many ways however it also removes the creativity or personalization that handwriting has. This made me think about typing and its benefits to cursive writing. Easier to read regardless of who wrote it and more efficient. However, there is something so human and personal about receiving a cursive written note. I always feel this nostalgia when I read my grandmas old recipes. If these were typed they would not be the same. Overall, this assignment demonstrated the benefits of the mechanization of writing through a very simple task while highlighting some downfalls. A potato stamp or cursive writing not cannot be easily adjusted or changed. Does this mean that through mechanization and speed we are losing careful consideration and thoughtfulness of our words? I know if I had to create stamps to communicate through text, I would show extremely purposeful consideration for each and every word used.
Hi Kris,
After reading your comment on my post and our common experience with the potato stamp assignment, I had to come check yours out! It was humbling for me too! Like you, I didn’t initially have the right materials and faced some unexpected challenges. I had issues getting a Sharpie (or pen) to write on the potato, and it took me quite some time to make precise cuts, especially with my shaky hands and the difficulty of cutting both straight and curved lines.
Oh boy, the mirroring of the letters was just so disheartening after spending about an hour cutting. Only realizing this after starting to paint was incredibly frustrating, and you’re right, it’s a lesson I won’t forget. Your observation about the upfront effort paying off in efficiency later on is spot on. Once the stamps were created, the actual stamping process was much quicker and standardized, highlighting the benefits of mechanization. Yet, as you noted, this mechanization can strip away the personal touch and creativity that handwritten notes offer.
Thanks for sharing your honest review of the task!