When I was a kid, a priest at my church, Msgr. James Nugent, took me aside to give me some advice. At the time, computers were not invented. He told me that if I wanted to write successfully in school, I should write everything down on paper and then type it up. To this day, I have followed this advice, but instead of on a typewriter, on a computer. I jot the words down as they come on paper, then fill in the blanks on my computer. While thinking about this talk that he had given me, I thought it would make a nice article. So, here I go.

When you jot thoughts down on pen and paper, you are using your mind more. I have not stepped into a classroom in years, but know that students have computers in the classroom. Why even learn how to spell words? These days, just Google it by speaking the word.

Why even learn to count? There is a calculator function and also WebMath.

Why even exercise? Instead of walking, you can message it.

Why even go to school to learn, period? Toddlers know how to use a computer better than I do! 

Yes, typing is faster in this age of 'we want it now'. But, don’t you want your mind to work? Don’t you want your ears to listen attentively to your environment in order to process sound? 

There is a craze these days for journals. Such journals range everywhere from gratitude journals to food journals to dieting journals to you-name-it. See? Writing things down does do wonders, especially before bed. Obviously, writing reduces stress, helps to make one thankful, control one’s eating, etc. Is this not a wake-up call?

I really think that computers should be made easier to use for those born before the computer age. When tablets first came out, I thought it would be easy to use and carry a tablet. I bought a rather expensive Zeepad. The day I brought it home from the store, the keyboard broke. Not worth the trouble. 

Which brings me to the next suggestion, that pen and paper are just so much more affordable. Computers have been around for years and still cost so much. Only those well-off writers can afford a computer, which is rather unfair.

Like the library? Going to the library is now as easy as going to the library’s website to read books.

Need to Christmas shop? Go online for Black Friday.

Don’t feel like visiting a friend? Simply video chat with them.

Heck, we do not even need emotions!  We have emoticons.

Are you asking what I do like about computers? Well, I do not own a vehicle. If I want to work, I have to telecommute. For example, I work online, as well as work for some other websites. Without a computer, I cannot work. So, yes, in this regard, I think a computer is a blessing. No bumper-to-bumper traffic, expensive gasoline or vehicle upkeep.

But, in all other regards, I guess I am just old-school. How about you?