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Ask HN: Has computer use atrophied your handwriting?

by madmonk on 12/15/22, 6:08 PM with 7 comments

Decades of computer work as atrophied my handwriting to an embarrassing level. Has this happened to you? If yes, what are you doing to address it? If no, how did you avoid it?

  • by hayst4ck on 12/16/22, 4:49 AM

    Computer use did not atrophy my handwriting, but it absolutely prevented my handwriting from ever developing legibility in the first place.

    > what are you doing to address it?

    Slow down and practice seems like the obvious advice.

  • by Jtsummers on 12/15/22, 7:17 PM

    Yes, I periodically go back and practice writing for a couple weeks (like old classroom exercises, writing the same letters over and over) to get it back into shape, it doesn't take long.

  • by jacknobody on 12/15/22, 7:23 PM

    Yes, I noticed my handwriting deteriorating.

    I didn't want to lose the skill of handwriting, so I've returned to snail mail :)

    I've discovered that my handwritten letters are quite different to my emails. I'm much more relaxed with my pen.

  • by Mezzie on 12/15/22, 6:40 PM

    My handwriting quality: No.

    How well and quickly I can do it? Yes, absolutely. I had to handwrite a bunch of stuff at work and my hand cramped embarrassingly quickly.

    I don't see much reason to address it.

  • by anshumankmr on 12/15/22, 6:09 PM

    I journal semi regularly using pen and paper though I never really had a great handwriting, but at least, I don't think it has deteriorated.

  • by beardyw on 12/15/22, 6:53 PM

    Yes, entirely, after very many years. Doesn't worry me mutch.

  • by ineedausername on 12/15/22, 9:06 PM

    Yes.