Steve Mann, the University of Toronto professor who lives his life permanently hooked to a wearable computer, says that it does not make one a luddite if she chooses to use old technologies along with the new. His statement was in response to a question about why he still uses pencils. I teach an introductory English course at the university level, and our final exams are all handwritten. I wish I could allow students to write them on a computer - it seems more humane - but the resources just aren't available. All in-class writing exercises still use paper and pen. I assign my students a weekly, informal writing exercise that they are required to complete outside of class, then turn in. I am amazed at the number of students who choose to write, rather than type, it. Aside from grocery lists, to do lists, notes, etc. I find that handwriting gives me a somatic connection to my writing in a way that typing does not. I figured I was just old-school because I was born in the generation that came to know computers, rather than having them as part of our environmental milieu at home and in the classroom. But still, I also handwrite because it's just not practical to drag my laptop everywhere with me, nor do I prefer to type lengthy tomes on a small, hand-held device. So, in the end I think keeping alive old, seemingly archaic technologies is a wise move, particularly if they are still used and useful.

Agreed. To call someone a Luddite suggests they have fear of new technologies. There is visceral pleasure to be had in writing by hand (although I was puzzled by Emily's examples, since they looked like printing, not handwriting - remember that, all the letters touching?), just as there is in reading a real book made out of paper. I can enjoy these experiences despite being perfectly adept on computers, thanks.