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By fade theory » notebookism on 07.28.06 12:58 am

I’d like to express a contrary opinion to this kind of journal worship. Let’s use our notebooks (and pencils!)constructively–to design new airplanes and bridges, to draft important letters, to write essays, to outline lesson plans. In other words, let’s get to WORK, instead of this self-indulgent navel-gazing (from an entry posted to Notebookism: “The act of sitting down to note my mood, my surroundings, my day, my anger or joy, my failings and successes, helps me make sense of my life….”)

Smell of smooth creamy paper? Hearts aflutter? Delicate tinkling of nib against inkwell? Sheesh! Well, my nibs don’t tinkle, Tinker Bell. And if this is the kind of stuff you put in your notebook, don’t worry about privacy–no one will ever want to read it.

By don jacobson on 08.01.06 2:02 pm

I agree wholeheartedly with Don. One of the main reasons I consciously avoid Moleskines (after using five of them) is that I found myself thinking more about the paper itself than I was about my writing (not to mention that the paper in those things has been of very inconsistent quality in my own experience).

Of course, journalling can serve a very useful, perhaps vital role for many people. For myself, however, I find that it is important to remember that I have to live in order to have something to write, not the other way around.

I enjoy looking at new kinds of notebooks and journals as much as the most paper-obsessed afficionado or aesthete, but I don’t buy them or use them. I prefer writing implements and papers to be no-nonsense, sturdy and economical. Whenever I find myself thinking ‘hey, this is a great pencil/sketchbook/notebook,’ it is just a bonus to its usefulness.

All of which is why it is such a boon to have Pencil Things available: I can find well made, nice to use writing tools that I don’t think about very much until it is time to order some more!

By ashley on 08.01.06 4:38 pm

Hmm, all the valid points have been made for me. I do have a paper obsession that goes along with my pencil one. However it seems doubtful that i would pay for notebooks (such as moleskine) when the Five Star and staples models are sufficient to my needs. Maybe a Cambridge but thats as far as i go. On the other hand I have several types of staff paper. there I indulge in fine paper and waste money(but the staves are better for my writing style so it is halfway justified). My notebook is used to describe what i should do or am doing with whatever music i am writing. It is all tied up to work . still frivolus and intensely personal but it serves a purpose. I’ve noticed an improvement since adopting this method of verbally describing what i need to do the next day after completing a days work. Needless to say all of this is done in pencil.

By Matt on 08.01.06 10:07 pm

This link was not intentionally mentioned for mockery:^) Certainly, notebook lovers might think the idea of smelling pencils and using pencils for work or journaling is crazy, too. I’ve always found that the same arguments/reasons one can give for preferring expensive pencils and pens are the same as using expensive notebooks, whether the reasons cited are a matter of preference, simplicity or utility.

It is refreshing when notebooks and journals are used for working, yes. But sometimes the “navel-gazing” reflecting that goes into a journal is a different kind of work, work in self exploration and self improvement, which is not the same thing as self indulgence. Or if it is, I am a very self indulgent person these days.

By Pencil Revolution on 08.02.06 11:19 am

I apologise I didnt mean it in such a way.
I meant it in the way one looks at a 500 daollar fountain pen and lusts after it but doesnt buy it because there is no practicle reason for it. And the self improvement endeavor is ever worthy of recognition and praise, but sometimes we just dont want to watch how someone goes about it. I doubt you are being all that self indulgent these days, I bet you dont have time to be. Good luck with the dissertation.

By Matt on 08.02.06 2:17 pm

I guess Dons original point is that it would be good to have a “notebook and paper” blog that focused on the more “practical” things one could write and sketch rather than personal diary, art, etc. There’s plenty of blogs by artists showing with their excellent artwork in their journal, not so many by arcitects and engineers showing the preliminary sketches for their next super creation.

By kiwi-d on 08.02.06 2:54 pm

No apologies necessary, Matt.  ;)

By Pencil Revolution on 08.02.06 2:59 pm

Just to get back to the middle of the road, I love notebooks and pencils, and just about all the stationery I can get my hands on, but I actually use the stuff. In other words, we’re not living in an either-or world. Thank God!

By Simon on 08.07.06 8:02 am

Pencil freaks mocking notebook people. Discuss.

By Tiffany on 09.07.06 9:52 am

I haven’t been here in a while but what a disappointment to see this post at the top of the page. I’ve used pencils all my life and only recently bought a Moleskine to see what all the fuss was about and if you love pencils enough to create a blog about them then you ought to know that Moleskines are fine for PENS. The pen and Moleskine brigade can fool themselves but I can’t. With so many idiots praising the emperors new clothes, there’s no doubt that Notebookism is on to a winner.

By Felicity Grace on 09.14.06 5:00 am

To Graces:

Notebookism is run by the same person who runs the Moleskine website, which we stated. A was “on to a winner” or course in starting both sites, and we are the biggest fans of each.
All are entitled to their own opinion about Moleskines. But calling people idiots and insulting our writers is just rude. And, in fact, Moleskines are fantastic for pencils.

By Pencil Revolution on 09.15.06 1:37 pm

Have you seen this? Furniture made of pencils: http://www.hemmy.net/2006/04/25/pencil-furniture-art/

By Mariana on 10.01.06 3:27 am

i have never realy thought of pencils as anything much. Just a little piece of lead inside a wooden tube, but actually i am now quite hooked thanks to pencil revolution.com! I will spread the word of pencil revolution

By Sam on 10.17.06 1:57 pm

Jacobson, notebooks and pencils have many uses, they are not JUST for work. Lighten up and remove your pencil from your…well, yeah. Lighten up.

By mikey on 04.28.07 11:07 am

Hi! Sorry for write here but I don’t know how to contact you. I have a Staedtler Mars 780 2mm and it fell to the floor last week. Now when I push the button it makes a noise like if somethin inside the pen scrapes something. Besides, it is harder to push the button now. I need some help please! Can it be fixed? Thank you in advance!! Luciano.

By Luciano on 06.04.07 12:12 pm

I am so fond of this website; I have it bookmarked, and I visit it constantly. Today I thought I would post a comment to rekindle the Comrade spirit.

The little aphorism at the beginning of this blog spells me out completely. I get excited at the sight of a blank sheet of paper. Every two weeks I indulge myself by buying a new brand of pencil, or a manual sharpener, or a new notebook. I am hooked.

Pencils rule.

By Will Moran on 11.27.07 11:51 pm