The lost art of letter writing | Elspeth Penny

The lost art of letter writing | Elspeth Penny | TEDxSWPS

Рет қаралды 34,312

9 жыл бұрын

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Whatever happened to the handwritten letter? Elspeth reminds us of the importance of the physical object, the DNA transmitted through the touch of finger on pen on paper, and the poetry of memory when we have a letter in our hand.
Elspeth Penny studied Anthropology and Theology at Cambridge and completed an MA in Theatre Directing at UEA. She started her career as a radio journalist at BBC
Radio Bristol, has written for TV, created work for theatre, short story collections and cinema; she has her own cross-platform ideas creation company - 2BU Productions.
She is an experienced creative workshop facilitator, having run her own MA module in Narrative at Norwich University of the Arts, and taught children and adults of all
levels. Elspeth is also a communications consultant.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

Пікірлер: 60

@lunavarion 9 жыл бұрын

I found this video shortly after resuming letter-writing myself. I started getting penpals online, and while I'm only able to write to one so far, I've also started writing to friends and family. Everyone around me was so confused by why I would want to write letters instead of emails. It seems as if they have no idea of the joy hand-written letters can create compared to emails. I tell them that receiving hand-written letters brings joy to the recipient because they take time and effort to write. Emails are quick and impersonal. To write a letter, you have to sit down and focus--meditate--on the task. The same is true of reading one. It's a shame this is becoming less and less rare in the age of instant technology and instant gratification. I wholeheartedly agree that it's time to renew this practice--give it new life.

@susansweetin3966 5 жыл бұрын

There are boxes filled with handwritten letters by my mother. While I was in college she wrote at least 6 days per week. Those were the days my only voice communication was a pay phone boot. You needed a ton of change to make a long distance call. Those saved letters were either in pencil or pen and mostly written while my mother had a spare moment in her second grade class room. She gave me a history of life at home. Those letters are difficult to read sometimes as the writing bring tears, smiles and laughter.

@pixelzebra8440 10 ай бұрын

That’s so sweet that in her free time, all she wanted to do was talk to you.

@kamikulieva 4 жыл бұрын

This video made me realize how precious handwritten letters are. How each word represents a different emotion and feeling. It is great to still write these types of letters because the people who sent it put so much effort into them to make you fell better, smile or maybe drop a tear. This treasurable format of writing basically makes you feel different kinds of emotions. I think that it is a great idea to start a movement like that because these papers keep so much memory in them. They are basically time travelers.

@shalimarsgirl 6 жыл бұрын

There is something so special about receiving a hand written letter, to touch the paper it was written on, and feel the words impact the heart. A treasure indeed! Thanks so much for your wonderful video. With love from Canada, Evy

@Miss.Bri_ 2 жыл бұрын

I agree, it’s something about someone taking the time to write a hand written letter.

@normananderson8687 8 жыл бұрын

I've been putting out hints to people about reviving the activity of letter writing. No one ever takes up the bait, however. Everyone has time for every other trivial activity such as non-stop television watching, but it doesn't even occur to people to want to write letters. They can't even conceive of it, I think. Your talk has inspired me, however. I intend to get more proactive and just start writing them, and maybe people will respond.

@Trentin. 6 жыл бұрын

I write a letter at least every other day. In the last year I’ve only ever received one reply in the mail. Most people send me a message on my phone or social media in response.

@stephenhauer9055 5 жыл бұрын

You could always get a pen pal! If you search reddit, there's a whole subforum dedicated to it.

@Trentin. 5 жыл бұрын

Stephen Hauer I’ll give it a go, thank you for the suggestion!

@TheLotuslain 8 жыл бұрын

I watched this while taking a break from writing a letter, lovely.

@vastdimension 4 жыл бұрын

Not many people today realise the importance of hand-written letters, so what Elspeth is doing is actually inspiring. Inspiring to stand up for the things that make us feel real and happy, such as those precious letters that you get from a relative that lives miles away from you. A letter with its own scent, feel, creativity truly holds a great power in it, and it's quite a shame that this art is forgotten. Great video though!

@AvecPoesie 4 жыл бұрын

After finding myself unable to bear a life devoid of letter writing, I have recently made some lovely pen pals and have begun the fulfilling journey of putting pen to stationery and writing correspondence. Composing letters allows me to feel as though I am taking a much yearned-for respite from the impersonal technologies in our periphery. I quite enjoyed this video and the comments of fellow viewers indicative of not being alone in my antiquated love of letters.

@bondarvalerie400 4 жыл бұрын

This video is some kind of reminder that we are all humans and we can express our feelings on the paper and share them with dear persons. The speaker tells us about a variety of types of handwriting and how important it could be. There's nothing hard to take a sheet of paper, pen and write warm word to your closers. Even children can do this. So simple. You can make some mistakes, use drawings and do not follow the sequence of thoughts. Writing is an art. This video inspired me to write a letter to my family.

@kimberlyalfaro9904 4 ай бұрын

Words hold power...especially when is written by hand. I just wrote a letter today for someone special. ❤ Thank you, for your video.

@ErinneKennedy 5 жыл бұрын

My great grandmothers letters were in pencil. her words are all now fading into the paper. I can see her in my minds eye as she licked her pencil lead to wet it before she she started writing. she had very creative spelling. She also stuck a stick of gum in her letters. Nice minty spell. My grandmothers all smelled of the estee lauder perfume that she wore

@Haileyjanecase 5 жыл бұрын

I can almost smell them myself! x

@migdaliatorres1172 6 жыл бұрын

Thank You for bring up this subject about writing letters. We are now in an age of the Millionium. No one remembers about writing letters. I will surely remind everyone how wonderful it was when you went to your Mailbox and someone was kind enough to remember you and send you a hand written letter. Let's start this movement again. Writing to Care for Someone. I surely will be one who will write a letter to that someone that cares enough to receive it and read it as well.

@artlady8567 6 жыл бұрын

I still write a lot of notes to people, not so much long letters any more. But, I do go to the Post Office and get "commemorative" stamps that are beautiful, and I spritz them all with perfume. I know that my letter recipients appreciate and keep them. Many of them go to children, and I hope that they reread these notes later in life.

@juliakuryji 4 жыл бұрын

This video makes me think about how important a letter can be from a lover for another person. I believe that it is better because it remains for a long time and contains all the emotions of the person who wrote it. Handwriting, paper shows everything by emotion predict what he is experiencing at a given time. no matter where, than, when. The letter shows what this person is thinking. A letter written on the knee can mean much more to the recipient than SMS.

@user-ou8xx2lv9n 4 жыл бұрын

This video was very interesting for me and I've learned some new information. The author made me think about problems of handwriting letters extinction. I suppose that it is really important to send letters than e-mails, for instance. It is so touching to achieve a handwriting letter, it carries a huge meaning. And it doesn't matter, that it takes you a lot of time to write it, send or to wait for an answer. The result is overcoming all expectations.

@traceyobrien8410 Жыл бұрын

I consider myself to be very blessed to have known my paternal great-grandmother. Although there was a vast age gap between us of approximately 70+ years, we were actually quite close while I was growing up. I have in my possession numerous cards, short notes, and letters written to me by her spanning over six decades until she could no longer write due to arthritis and loss of cognitive abilities. Not only are they a connection to the past by providing genealogical data about my father's side of the family, but I also consider them to be historical documents relating events and information about the times in which she grew up. She was born in 1892 and passed away just eight short months of her one hundredth birthday in 1992. She had also written a diary (of sorts) describing some very personal events that happened in her family. Just imagine the historical events that occurred during her lifetime, not only in our nation but all around the world. Two world wars, the Depression, the advent of radio and television, the first American to land on the moon, and numerous presidencies here in the United States -- just to name a few. To me, those documents are priceless, and I am never going to get rid of them for as long as I live.

@ecr-9341 5 жыл бұрын

I’m a better-person, by slivers of degree, for watching this. I write regularly. Thank You Madam🇺🇸

@natalykolosova7180 4 жыл бұрын

I like to write letters. I have been doing it all my life. A letter is direct from brain to hand to paper. I find it interesting to share my emotions and my thoughts. I like to draw pictures. So, this video is amazing. I like it.

@joesell2565 3 жыл бұрын

I, too, have been a letter writer all my life. I know that friends here and around the world like them. My dry humor often adds color. Also, I share my art in them. This last Christmas was the 32nd time I drew my own card. A different subject drawn on it each year. Some famous people I drew responded ! P.S. Years ago, I had a friend born totally blind. She and I wrote each other in braille. Have a safe 2021.

@user-vb5hr3fb5w 4 жыл бұрын

i consider that handwriting letters is wonderful ! It’s a great opportunity to move at the past. It’s a material and it’s better than some electronic letter! You can feel the texture of the paper , to smell this. And you can put your real feelings in your paper letter. I believe that nothing can replace this.

@Trentin. 5 жыл бұрын

One day I decided I was going to start sending handwritten letters to friends and family. I went through my contacts to see who’s address I had and began going down the list. The responses (nearly all via text or FB Messenger 😡) were incredibly positive. So many people told me it had been years since they’d received a proper letter, for some it was their first. I loathe sending what I call HAY (How Are You) letters filled with questions. I feel as though HAY letters hold the receiver hostage, forcing them to either reply in some fashion or to ignore the letter altogether. So I like to write short one or two page stories; that way their is no obligation for a reply.

@Marina-lb6dn 4 жыл бұрын

In my opinion, handwriting is the best thing ever. When you're writing you think about this person/or persons, you remember all great times. If it's your pen friend you try to share the atmosphere of your life. We, of course, learn during writing. But, does it matter there're any mistakes if you want to share your emotions and news with your friend? So, yes. Handwriting is the best way to communicate with your friends.

@elspethpenny 9 жыл бұрын

Well put Lunavarion, I am at a loss why your friends and family were confused. I bet there's other people around who would love your letters. Great to get your comments. Elspeth x

@Cyriljayant 6 жыл бұрын

Lovely and inspiring talk. Thank you.

@anniekasperova462 4 жыл бұрын

I watched this video and was inspired to write a letter! This video is imbued with atmosphere that you really want to take an old paper, write to your relative or friend, take some picture, spray with perfume and put it in envelope. It’s really interesting video! Thank you for the inspiration♥️

@ashutoshprajapati3278 3 жыл бұрын

a very beautiful message given by them now a days litreally the art of wiriting letter had been deprieved..but your message has given me some pinch of writing letters to my loved ones..it provide iformation about the emotions that letter contain.. DNA line the best one ..thanks for this beautiful message

@lisahamrick5185 3 жыл бұрын

I love to see and touch my mother and fathers hand written letters. I smell them (s(c)ent) as well as feel them and their energy

@AddorableV 5 жыл бұрын

I have always been an avid letter writer, since I was a little girl. I have saved every card, letter, and note written in school since I was old enough to do so. I also have kept a journal since at least 14... and I enjoy writing as well as reading letters. Unfortunately nobody writes letters anymore. The only Christmas card I get in the mail anymore is from my mom. It does make me sad that this is considered a lost art, because it is so meaningful to be able to express yourself this way. I used to spend time writing long letters in pretty handwriting and then dress them up with stamps, stickers, and artwork. I miss having a penpal. Over the years I have tried to find friends to write to, but it usually goes like this... I send a letter and then never get one back.

@AvecPoesie 3 жыл бұрын

You and I sound very much alike. I too love writing ✍. I also have been keeping journals and diaries since youth. I found 3 young women to write ✍ to as pen pals a little over a year ago. I sent them each letters ✉ then received letters back from all of them. I wrote in return to all three and that was the last I heard of any of them. It was as though they all simultaneously fell off the face of the earth. So disappointing. I even share your sentiments about cards. I give them and take quite a bit of time composing words I feel will be meaningful only to never receive cards in return. Perhaps, I was born in the wrong era?

@AddorableV 3 жыл бұрын

@@AvecPoesie I feel like that sometimes, but at the same time... I am glad I got to see all the changes in the modern world. Technology is both a blessing and a curse at the same time. I do really miss getting letters in the mail, wish more people would take the time to hand write to each other.

@dariamineeva6942 4 жыл бұрын

This video was useful for me. It has impressed me and I've wanted to write the letters to my family and friends . I have felt the atmosphere of writing a letter. It's nice to look at letters written by hand . I think that all letters keep their own story

@buntysvintageemporium3632 2 жыл бұрын

I love writing letters. I have a wee FB group to encourage people to write letters and send cards. It's amazing how much it lifts and cheers people.

@arthurfilmeseanimes 3 жыл бұрын

If the postal service in my country weren't such a mess a would tottaly mail letters all the time. Anyhow, great talk, got me inspired for sure!

@ZoeyCLR78 3 жыл бұрын

What a gem of a video!! After seeing a few penpal videos on my recommends, I was thinking of hand-writing letters, but watching this video really drives the point home. What better way to show someone how much you care than by writing a letter. 😊💖

@rcgeraghty6627 6 жыл бұрын

Students in boarding schools and faraway universities used to write lots of letters and parents write them letters too. Migrants from my country Ireland used to write home letters, as phonecalls cost too money.

@pgballou Жыл бұрын

Yes, separated by schools, military and travel, letters sustained, bonded and deepened relationships with historical, authentic record.

@nkanyisokambula 3 жыл бұрын

Wow!!!!Although it is something we cannot do everyday.....But should learn to practice more

@helenevans9332 Ай бұрын

Beautiful Thank You 🌹

@MrThomtree 3 жыл бұрын

I write to my friends all the time and a lot of them do write back. I also have a pen friend in Canada. I love it. I hope the Royal Mail still sends my letters into the future.

@smissyb 9 жыл бұрын

Beautiful!

@elspethpenny 9 жыл бұрын

Thanks Missy B

@pollyevhillson3089 3 жыл бұрын

I absolutely love this 🌈🌈🌹🌼🌻

@groutmagictilecleaning7498 4 жыл бұрын

Interesting talk 🤔

@ZocNad 4 жыл бұрын

If you enjoyed this, I would recommend the books From Me to You: The Reluctant Writer's Guide to Powerful, Personal Messages by JacLynn Morris & Paul L. Fair and Letters For All Occasions by Alfred Stuart Myers.

@AvecPoesie 4 жыл бұрын

I will certainly look into this. Thank you for imparting this recommendation.

@ph11p3540 2 жыл бұрын

It's very rare nowadays for a future employer to request a hand written cover letter with a resume or application but when they do, they are looking for one of two things. Someone who has to do a lot of fill in the blanks of a standardized report and want legible hand writing and not Latin shorthand writing. The second reason is far more in depth, the character personality analysis gleaned from the subtle details of a hand written word or sentence. If your handwriting is on the small side, neat and regular you will be passed over for filling in jobs that demand thinking on your feet or working under pressure. Someone with larger, flowy writing is better suited for high pressure chaotic job positions. My last employer even hired a cursive writing expert to fill in their human resources department to make assumption on personality and predict the behavior of employees who were put into new job positions. Younger employees who do very little hand writing automatically fail most job qualifications and this may explain why most younger workers are unemployable.

@diyaelizabeth13 2 жыл бұрын

I've always thought that handwriting is the written equivalent of someone's voice. And it's like having it recorded

@aimeethomson7806 4 жыл бұрын

...from Oct. Saying I'd went to ello

@aimeethomson7806 4 жыл бұрын

Hospital

@aimeethomson7806 4 жыл бұрын

Signed.....

@aimeethomson7806 4 жыл бұрын

Notfoll

@civilizationandbeer Жыл бұрын

I'd write her a letter.

@EmilyGloeggler7984 2 жыл бұрын

Honestly letter writing is overrated. In reality, too many people make excuses to remain lazy and either not go and visit people in person or at least call or do video calls. I don’t letter write anymore and I’ve never been happier!