Culture | Johnson

The importance of handwriting is becoming better understood

Research on pens and paper highlights their benefits

A person's hand, writing with a pen that has a lightbulb on the end
Illustration: Nick Lowndes

Two and a half millennia ago, Socrates complained that writing would harm students. With a way to store ideas permanently and externally, they would no longer need to memorise. It is tempting to dismiss him as an old man complaining about change. Socrates did not have a stack of peer-reviewed science to make his case about the usefulness of learning concepts by heart.

Explore more

This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Hand-wringing over handwriting”

From the September 16th 2023 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

More from Culture

Magnus Carlsen of Norway in action at the Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge tournament at Weissenhaus, Wangels, Germany, February 12th 2024

Can Magnus Carlsen convince people to watch chess?

The world’s best player hopes that glamming up the ancient game can make stars of its players

A model poses for photographers amongst wildflowers in bloom at Lake Elsinore, California, United States, March 18th 2019

Are internet firms the problem, or are you the problem?

A veteran critic of technology offers his take on a familiar target


An illustration of the Michelin man reclining on a couch, picking a grape from bowl whilst reading a yelp review on a smartphone. Loose pages are scattered near his feet. A shooting star is visible through the window.

The Michelin Guide is no longer the only tastemaker in town

How is it adapting to changing eating habits?


Why “Emilia Pérez” is loved by Hollywood and hated by everyone else

And the Oscar for Worst Picture goes to…

Tofu: never judge a food by its political reputation

Think outside the white plastic box. Here is a carnivore’s guide to tofu

Sex, drugs or chastity?

Pope Francis has written the first memoir by a sitting pope. God help us