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Patronizing NYTimes article


Velma

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Okay. At the NYC Pen Show, there was a photographer, and we heard that there would be an article in The New York Times today. Now, granted, because I was in some of the photographs, I was looking forward to this article a bit more than I might otherwise have been. So... I wake up, get online, and search for it:

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/18/nyregion...ity/18pens.html

 

Let me just quote the final paragraph:

 

To be sure, few things in modern life are more unnecessary and impractical than a fountain pen. A really good one may cost you a few hundred dollars, and then you have to buy ink to put into it. Heck, you can't even chew on it - it costs too much - and you don't dare throw it to the floor when you can't make the words work. It requires time-consuming cleaning and maintenance, and every time you refill it you get ink on your fingers and have to scrub it off. In short, why bother with an old-fashioned fountain pen? Why not go around in knee breeches while you're at it? Why not start driving a Packard or a Studebaker?

 

To which the hard-core stylophile might respond: A Studebaker would be great.

 

So we're obsessive Luddites, kind of freaky in our obsession with the past....

 

I'm low-level cranky about the tone of the article. You'd think, though, that being a science fiction fan, I'd have gotten used to news articles opting for the lowest common denominator, "look at the freaks and their risible obsessions" style of reporting by now, but I haven't. There's a certain amount of fury that rises in me, when I realize that I, and other people, have taken time to talk with someone seriously about an interest, and in return, been made out to be crazies.

 

Soren, the long-suffering spousal unit, advises me not to waste my time writing to the <i>Times</i>, but instead, to blog about it, so that people will know that Mitch Keller, the writer, takes that sort of sneering approach. He may be right, but I may still write to the paper, and point out that my fountain pens will last longer than his laptop, if he hurls things to the floor when they don't work, and surely be a lot easier to repair.

 

Grrrrrrrrr.

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Velma,

 

Breathe deeply. Count to ten.

 

Did you ever really like a recording artist, an obscure one you just sort of discovered? Wasn't it great that you were one of the few who appreciated that artist? It was as though they were playing just for you.

 

If they ever got the popularity they deserved, you might have been happy for them, at least to start with. But then you'd probably start resenting some of the new fans who thought they had an equal claim on the band you did. Then there is the increasing commercialism and sadness that your favourite obscure little band now belonged to the world and there was no going back.

 

Think about that for a while and see the positive side of the majority remaining ignorant - even dismissive or sneering - of the pleasure of fountain pens.

 

I introduce pens to people I like and care about, and their opinions matter to me, but the world at large is a different matter.

 

Ray

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Velma,

 

Breathe deeply. Count to ten.

 

Did you ever really like a recording artist, an obscure one you just sort of discovered? Wasn't it great that you were one of the few who appreciated that artist? It was as though they were playing just for you.

 

If they ever got the popularity they deserved, you might have been happy for them, at least to start with. But then you'd probably start resenting some of the new fans who thought they had an equal claim on the band you did. Then there is the increasing commercialism and sadness that your favourite obscure little band now belonged to the world and there was no going back.

 

Think about that for a while and see the positive side of the majority remaining ignorant - even dismissive or sneering - of the pleasure of fountain pens.

 

I introduce pens to people I like and care about, and their opinions matter to me, but the world at large is a different matter.

 

Ray

Wow, excellent point, Ray!! I know exactly what you mean!!

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Hi Velma,

 

I read that on PT YB and we should note that it was part of what was written about Richard Binder's work there at the show. The writer was, imo, merely offering what Poo Bah would have called, "Detail, detail, merely corroborative detail".

 

Even if your assessment of Mitch's intent is correct, who in the "normal community" wouldn't argue that we are, "obsessive Luddites, kind of freaky in our obsession with the past...." :unsure: I wouldn't! :lol:

Roger

Southern Arizona, USA

Fountain Pen Talk Mailing List

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it's a shame he's so wrong...

 

firstly - he is contradictory in that quote. "and you don't dare throw it to the floor when you can't make the words work." the beauty of the FP, IMO, is that they do work so much better that I have no need to throw the pen.

 

but he's didn't really "attend" the show or he'd have seen plenty of inexpensive pens I'm sure. And had he actually filled one and written with it he'd have realized you don't always get ink on your fingers (and so what if you? you some sort of metrosexual sissy boy?) (kidding and no offense to those who consider themselves metrosexuals - just offense aimed at this twit.

 

Time consuming cleaning? That's another distortion. depends on how AR you are I suppose. Frank would say no pen needs cleaning as long as it is used regularly and with "good" ink.

 

yeah this sort of thing ticks me off too. but obviously this person was completely dumbfounded by the knowledge and artistry in the FP world.

 

I'm sure I'll offend someone here with my next comment - remember that I am not condemning *all* journalists.

 

But when reading some of the tripe that certain kinds of sneering, insecure journalists have written - i prefer to call them urinalists.

KCat
Save animal lives - support your local animal shelter

My personal blog https://kcdockalscribbling.com

My nature blog https://kcbeachscribbles.com
Venerable are letters, infinitely brave, forlorn, and lost. V. Woolf, Jacob's Room

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Hi,

 

I was going to come here and quote the same paragraph noted by Velma, as I was also irritated by the journalist's ignorance and misinformation... but having read Ray's post, I feel better now. And at least he did get the kudos to Mr. Binder done correctly. His (Keller's) loss if he thinks that FPs are antiquated and inconvenient relics for the rich only. We know better and can share our knowledge with those we deem worthy. :P

Vanessa

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He thinks it's a disadvantage to have to buy ink?

 

I guess this guy would disapprove of any refillable pen, simply because you can't reasonably treat it like a Bic.

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It's easy to be annoyed by the fifth estate, and perhaps rightly so. Odds are good that the article, as it was printed, is only fairly close to what the writer typed; it's almost a certainty that an editor, who either has never used a FP, or who used one in his childhood and hated them once "space-age" BPs came out, and who certainly never attended the show, went thru the article, trimming, editing, and changing things here and there, as quickly as possible... before going on to do the same to another article on a subject the writer knew only a little about, but more than the editor did.

 

In so-called human-interest stories, a lot of papers, or at least editors, like to slant them so that the reader is left with a slightly condescending attitude towards the subject. As a few of you may know, I participate in some, erm, highly unusual recreational activities, and wind up being interviewed rather often in connection with that. Newspapers are mostly in the business of "reporting" Olds, not news; telling people what they already secretly know - that everyone different than them is at least a little bit a wierdo.

 

I don't worry about it. Hell, an article like this gives you even more bargaining leverage at flea markets, antique shops, and the like. "$20 for that Vacumatic? Are you nuts? Didn't you read in the NYT how fountain pens are stupid, fragile, messy, and you have to keep buying ink for them? $5, cash, take it or leave it."

 

The link above is roughly the twelfth time I've been on TV or in a paper in the last two years; it's not the worst article, and it's not the best. In a dozen stories, there's been maybe one that I'd consider reasonable and accurate, and I'd say one-in-twelve is pretty good, for American newspapers... YMMV. :)

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If they ever got the popularity they deserved, you might have been happy for them, at least to start with. But then you'd probably start resenting some of the new fans who thought they had an equal claim on the band you did. Then there is the increasing commercialism and sadness that your favourite obscure little band now belonged to the world and there was no going back.

It doesn't work for me that way. If I like something, I'm not concerned with whether teenyboppers also like it, or whether someone's a newbie to the culture -- unless they try to lecture me as if I were the newbie and they'd been there since the start.

 

But the tone of the article was, to me, offensive. Why would anyone want a fountain pen? Fountain pen users would also be into other old -- and therefore useless -- things.

 

I appreciate what you're saying, but it does not lessen the condescension, rudeness, and ignorance displayed by the writer.

 

On the other hand, I suppose he couldn't blame me if one of my fountain pens accidentally squirted ink all over his suit or laptop; after all, they are messy and clumsy.

 

(No, Velma, revenge should not be taken. Fantasized about, briefly, perhaps, but not taken. And why waste a converter full of ink. You could always use an ink bottle with SITB, instead....)

 

Anyway, I'll stay here, with the rest of you impractical sorts, and revel in my pens, probably long after his laptop crashes and burns completely, or is rendered obsolete by the next technological advance.

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You could write to his newspaper and complain, although come to think of it, isn't a crusty old newspaper - with actual paper pages and ink and everything - a little redundant in the TV and internet age? I mean, how impractical. A guy who would work for a business like that probably still rides a horse to work!

 

Ray

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It's easy to be annoyed by the fifth estate, and perhaps rightly so. Odds are good that the article, as it was printed, is only fairly close to what the writer typed; it's almost a certainty that an editor, who either has never used a FP, or who used one in his childhood and hated them once "space-age" BPs came out, and who certainly never attended the show, went thru the article, trimming, editing, and changing things here and there, as quickly as possible... before going on to do the same to another article on a subject the writer knew only a little about, but more than the editor did.

 

In so-called human-interest stories, a lot of papers, or at least editors, like to slant them so that the reader is left with a slightly condescending attitude towards the subject. ...

Mike, you ar probably right. I know that the number of respectful articles on science fiction conventions is probably still only in double digits, and conventions have been taking places since 1938 or so. It's a lot easier to write "look at what those weirdos are into" than it is to write positively.

 

And I am obscurely reminded of the fact that at least one well known and respected movie reviewer absolutely loathed science fiction, and trashed every sf movie he saw, and yet, he was still allowed to review them, and people took him seriously. That would be like someone taking my reviews of recipes with lima beans and okra seriously.

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Guest Denis Richard

I'm gonna play the salmon here. I think that little piece was both funny and rather accurate. That guy has a rather open mind about the hobby (I promise... re-read it.).

 

What is supposed to be hurtful or false ? That FPs are impractical ? Yes, they sure are compared to a disposable BP. That we get inky fingers ? I do. That we need to buy ink ? It's definitely more time consuming to hunt for ink than not.

 

I really don't find the article condescending. The bit about chewing it or throwing it on the floor made me smile. Notes that he also opposes the hobby to "a world of frantic technological change", and uses the adjective "refreshing".

 

Sure it's a smart-alek article... but I think it's funny... and realistic.

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That would be like someone taking my reviews of recipes with lima beans and okra seriously.

Ooh, ooh, I'll do the review. I love both lima beans and okra.

 

Being really lazy here. I was trying to figure out a way to word how I felt about the article and decided my brain just wasn't up to it. Denis expressed how I felt about it. I saw myself in the article. I don't know about Frank, but I do spend time cleaning pens. I was actually impressed with his ablility to use the correct terms.

 

I was disappointed that there were no pictures. I was also disappointed because I went out and got the NYT this morining just to realize that the Metro NY section is not included in the papers sold in NJ!

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What is supposed to be hurtful or false ? That FPs are impractical ? Yes, they sure are compared to a disposable BP. That we get inky fingers ? I do. That we need to buy ink ? It's definitely more time consuming to hunt for ink than not.

upon reading the full version, i feel that some of the comments might have been tongue-in-cheek. And I did appreciate the kind words about Mr. Binder.

 

Still, I hate the misconceptions that people have about FPs. Or at least, the distortions. yes, I get in ink my fingers quite often. But i'm a clutz? klutz? not very graceful. But i often get ink on my fingers when using a gel or other ballpoint. A greasy ballpoint stain can be just as difficult to get out of a shirt pocket if not more so - assuming you're not using Noodler's inks :)

 

i still reject the notion that they are time consuming. They can be certainly depending on how you handle your pens, how many you have, etc. that's true for any hobby. I can't begin to count the amount of time I've spent threading a needle with floss or organizing my embroidery floss on little plastic holders, etc.

 

my problem with all of this is not that there is so mo much any "falseness" to it - it's the impression it gives to readers who know nothing about FPs. I'm not of the sort seen on some of the other pen forums who would prefer to keep this little hobby highly constrained with rules and guidelines. I would not want to discourage new members at all. There are two ways to approach that. Someone like myself, wants to bring others into the fold as much as possible because I believe the way to keep a hobby alive is to continue to make converts. The other approach, one I consider "elitist" to be honest, says that We don't want newbies in the hobby because they raise the prices and buy up pens We want to be able to covet, handle, or keep to ourselves and don't want some newbie twit interferring with that. Especially when it comes to vintage of course.

 

by painting the people within the hobby as odd or Luddite and by making claims that while true to a degree are overstated, it discourages people who might otherwise think "hmmm... if that many people like this, maybe I should try it."

 

it would have been nice, IMO, and more balanced and even could have been more humorous possibly if he'd countered his negatives about FPs with the positives which IMO are many.

KCat
Save animal lives - support your local animal shelter

My personal blog https://kcdockalscribbling.com

My nature blog https://kcbeachscribbles.com
Venerable are letters, infinitely brave, forlorn, and lost. V. Woolf, Jacob's Room

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What is supposed to be hurtful or false ? That FPs are impractical ? Yes, they sure are compared to a disposable BP. That we get inky fingers ? I do. That we need to buy ink ? It's definitely more time consuming to hunt for ink than not.

 

Mmmmm, this part was what I found particularly offensive:

 

In short, why bother with an old-fashioned fountain pen? Why not go around in knee breeches while you're at it? Why not start driving a Packard or a Studebaker?

 

To which the hard-core stylophile might respond: A Studebaker would be great.

 

I can get over the rest as either the author's / editor's ignorance or attempt at humor. I can even say that yes, there is a bit of truth to some of it (like the impractical nature of FPs as opposed to Bics). The business about breeches and Studebakers, though... I feel pigeonholed. I am not a crusty old man in knee breeches who dreams about the good 'ol days when I made my own paper and used animal blood for ink (I'm exaggerating, but still...). I am a young-ish woman who does not consider herself old-fashioned or her hobbies to be dusty.

 

Why does he think fountain pens are "old-fashioned"? Simply because they preceded bics and rollerballs? Big deal. "Out with the old and in with the new" doesn't have to work with everything - I don't see why we can't keep some of the old if it pleases us, and if we find the new to be less pleasing or even boring. And is it considered "old" if it's still in production, just because it's not a "new" invention? FP makers are still finding ways to make them "new" to us, with shapes, finishes, and even materials used (like titanium nibs).

Vanessa

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Guest Denis Richard

Hi KCat,

 

I'm all for widening the audience, but I think people who would come to the FP will not be discouraged by that article. Look, when the journalist writes that you have to buy ink for the pen, he does not exagerate and go say that you need to spend a 2 hours a day to do it. He just states the truth... you have to buy ink.

 

I think the comparison with classic cars was well seen too. You have to tell people who want to buy a classic that it will take more than just bringing it to a quick lube every 5,000 miles.

 

I agree that it's missing the good side of FPs, the wirting experience, etc... But, the guy is not from the community. This is an outsider's look, and as just that, I think it's honest and, it made me smile to see how silly we can look sometimes. I think the impact of the article will be positive.

 

To be fully honest, I'm in a rather playful mood today, and maybe the same article would have annoyed me yesterday or the day before. But today, I'm fine with it :lol:

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Guest Denis Richard
Mmmmm, this part was what I found particularly offensive:

 

In short, why bother with an old-fashioned fountain pen? Why not go around in knee breeches while you're at it? Why not start driving a Packard or a Studebaker?

 

To which the hard-core stylophile might respond: A Studebaker would be great.

But... I would love a Studebaker ! :) No, really I'm serious... may be actually a late 60's or early 70's Mustang is on the list first. I don't think I'm old fashion either. I just like some stuff that's old. :blink:

 

The question "why bother with an old-fashion fountain pen" is a legitimate one, and one that most likely 99.9% of people that see you use one have on their mind. Up to us to answer it when it is asked, but I have a hard time seeing how someone would not ask it.

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The author didn't really explain why some people would write with a FP even if s/he never would. I think using a FP sort of like why some people insist on driving a manual versus an automatic transmission. S/he should have tried using one before writing the article. No doubt using a FP is more "trouble," but there's no mention of smoothness, or pretty nibs, . . . etc.

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Impractical compared to a Bic?

 

I don't think so -- I'd actually say Bics are pretty impractical for anything except homicide :D At least for me, as I have low writing angle (which is why I use a fountain pen in the first place).

 

 

Well, I guess you CAN jam stuff down the barrel of a Round Stic if you pull the action out -- just yank on the section. Maybe even, with some work, a fountain pen's mechanism ... but I'm still thinking on how that could be done. It'd make a good gag gift.

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