Typewriter Video Series -- Episode 260: Are Typewriters Alive?

[@WoodlandPoetry]

This was great. Very thoughtful. I know that I have a different writer's voice on a keyboard, on a typewriter, and then dictating into voice recognition software. The latter just leads me down rabbit trails, and I go off on wild goose chases. Nothing is as thoughtful or as careful and requires as little revision as a typewriter. I've also noticed the difference between keyboards. Some computer keyboards seem to disrupt the creative flow less than others. Perhaps we all have an optimal combination of thought, fingers, and display that if we could only find it, our writing would be much better. On a lighter note, please do a follow-up called: "Do All Typewriters Go to Heaven?" Thanks! I really enjoyed this!✨👍🏻

[@april_mmm]

This is so damn inexpressibly brilliant, Joe! I just love it. You truly put into words--in a way that would never have occurred to me, certainly--a feeling I've often had while typing. I think this feeling is probably one many artists could recognize. It's even something my husband and I have discussed from time to time: the sense of kinship we occasionally (though not always) experience with an item or tool; that intangible sense of familiarity and symbiosis, like meeting an old friend from a past life, if such things do happen. 🙂

[@danielmarleau]

Joe, you've finally hit upon it. I must admit, it's a bit scary at first. Unsettling perhaps. That was my reaction to the creature that lives in my typewriter, whispering to my subconscious. I suppose you might say the typewriter is alive. Alive with a creative creature whose existence is activated through the quantum folds. Like an incantation, the repetitive tapping we perform, slowly awakens it. For all who watch this most excellent video, keep at it, keep writing, keep believing that what you're doing matters. And when you do, your typewriter will live like no other writing machine.

[@saulysw]

Just a guess : garden mushrooms for lunch on your pizza?! Haha. Actually, I think you really are on point. I was considering the same question just last night - do my typewriters have a life of their own? No, I concluded, they need me to bring them to life. But they do have characteristics which are unique - not only to the make/model but the single example you have, and this set of characteristics can be a kind of personality. Some of which you get on with better than others, much like with people, and this is also touched on in the film "Naked Lunch". So it is more intimate a relationship we have with them than most things, like say, a light switch or microwave oven. Some people even name their typewriters, which I think is telling. There is a point in typing where you can "lose yourself" in thought, and physical act, and then who really is in the driving seat at that moment, is it all you? Some words might seem easier or better to type - is that you, or the personality of your typewriter? It is a grey space that is not well explored, and you are shining some light into it. It is intriguing, isn't it? And where does the mysterious "creativity" come from (and go to)?? PS. Editing on this video was on another level, I bet it took a while!

[@MWebb-zm3cr]

The best love story ever. It truly made it's way into my heart. Thank you so much, sir. You are wonderful.

[@patricktx3357]

I believe you are on to something. Some typewriters not only speak to you, they can speak for you. How many times have you been troubled when it comes to thinning the herd? It can be a gut wrenching decision. Even the ugly ones can be such majestic creatures. Is it because they are mechanical works of art or because you feel they are alive. We rescue them, care for them and give them a safe place to rest. We then occasionally bring them out for a conversation that only the two of you can share.

[@drandallesq]

My typewriters do speak with different voices - even though it is still me working with them Joe! Each connects with me in a subtly different way. Given our collections of machines, do we gravitate to one that has the more fluid output? Not necessarily. The slower speed of writing with a machine with character and quirks can be a benefit.

[@angelafeihel9717]

Always top notch content from you Joe, wow!

[@viloriaivory]

Best entry to a movie or book that I have heard. In the future we will have neurons that connect us to our typewriters making them alive or they are all possessed and type for us.

[@johnc.bojemski1757]

Proof positive that you Joe are a true "RENAISSANCE MAN"! Scientist, engineer, author, draftsman, mechanic and philosopher too? Amazing! Thomas Jefferson would be proud of you!

[@christophermckellar1352]

Good one!

[@DavidALovingMPF102]

Wow Joe! This is some heavy Sci-Fi meets Art! I almost heard "Spooky Mulder's" voice there for a moment..What did you eat right before this idea?

[@brendablomberg8483]

I loved this!

[@maducha4664]

Great video! I have a question though, is it possible to change the typewriter keys to a qwerty layout as opposed to azerty? I recently got into typewriters and noticed that where I live, functioning azerty typewriters can be found for 15 euros and qwerty are at least 50/60 euros.I was wondering if it's possible and if so, is it worth it?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Not easily, without resoldering the type slugs which, to do properly, requires a fixture in order to ensure proper type alignment. Also, on some later machines with plastic keys it’s not easy to swap them around. I find it rather easy getting used to QWERTZ, but not AZERTY.

[@4355dcox]

Very cool! Shades of Max Headroom ... he was afraid of being used as a typewriter

[@bentbilliard]

Awesome.

[@وهابالربيعي]

Ok joe ..... that's a good one

[@danmiller6890]

That was pretty damn cool.....

[@RayAnimates]

Good morning, excuse my English, I speak Spanish, but I need help with my writing machine. When I plug it in, it turns on, but the keys are stuck and I don't know what to do. Can you help me please? can you help me or put a video of how it can be fixed? Thank you

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Is this a typebar electric? The belts could be worn and slipping, or broken. Also, many machines needs to be degreased and cleaned to work properly.

[@douglasjackson9058]

😲

[@sauron9883]

If not cleaned...maybe

[@dgeer809]

Thank you, very stimulating and indeed explains my obsession with the next typewriter

[@solitairepilot]

What in the world? So confused. The typewriter cannot have consciousness as an item, rather it is a way for humans to express consciousness. But depending next how you view the philosophical side of quantum mechanics, I guess it is unlikely, yet feasible that a typewriter might have some sort of morality. Objectively, you have dug up a question that science cannot answer; what is man? An object that only exists to procreate through a complicated chemical reward system, or a sentient being with a meaning beyond the physical. The former would open the possibility of man creating synthetic “man”. Whereas the latter would not. It really comes down to your religious or atheistic view. But we won’t get into that.