Typewriters, Computers, and Creating? 227
saddleupsancho writes "Today's NY Times reports that Cormac McCarthy is auctioning the 45-year-old Olivetti manual typewriter on which all his novels, screenplays, plays, short stories, and much of his correspondence were written, to benefit the Sante Fe Institute where he is a Research Fellow. What would happen decades from now if, say, Richard Powers or Neal Stephenson attempted to auction their desktops or laptops? Setting aside completely any comparison among the three authors, is there something more intrinsically interesting and valuable, less ephemeral and interchangeable, about a typewriter vs. a computer as an instrument of literary creation? Or is the current generation just as sentimental about their computer-based devices as McCarthy's generation is about his Olivetti? Would you offer as much for McCarthy's input device if it were a generic PC, Mac, or Linux box as you would for his Olivetti?"
Re:Cormac (Score:5, Funny)
Yeah, that's what you get when he's a substituent instead of the main chain. trans-2,3-diCormac McCarthyl-1-butanol.
Re:A PC has no soul (Score:4, Funny)
Yes, as unique as the next one that came off the assembly line, identical in every way as the former save the serial number.
Re:Yes (Score:1, Funny)
On the other hand, a computer grows viruses as it ages.
Figuratively speaking, turn in your geek card on your way out.
You can haul it anywhere without worrying about battery life.
Yeah, "haul" is a fitting word. Carrying a years worth of exra ink is moot compared to the typewriter's weight.
Personally, I've never seen the appeal of any modern writing methods. I'd rather use a quill pen. I can go anywhere, pluck a bird, skin some animal, make ink and I'm all set to write the sequel to the Necronomicon. Do you get that experience with your Buck Rogers typing machines?!
Re:don't think it's mechanical v. digital (Score:5, Funny)
Re:No obligatory Pattern Recognition reference? (Score:3, Funny)
What, did he use it to write something in the snow?
Maybe (Score:1, Funny)
maybe now he'll in complete sentences
Re:Cormac (Score:5, Funny)
Re:And 100 years ago (Score:5, Funny)
A real writing instrument isn't mechanical. It requires the human hand to function, it lives and breathes the soul of a person, revealing their character and mood with every stroke.
I agree with your point 100%. Cormac McCarthy should be auctioning off his hand!
Re:don't think it's mechanical v. digital (Score:3, Funny)
Re:What would happen in Neal S. try to auction (Score:1, Funny)
with a fountain pen
From the length of Anathem he must have a bad case of wank wrist.
Re:No obligatory Pattern Recognition reference? (Score:5, Funny)
Yeah, his last twelve books.
Re:Let's put this in perspective (Score:3, Funny)
Fuck the computer, I want his security blanket.
And I'll sell my unborn children for Schroeder's piano.
That's peanuts!