As the technology of communication continues to evolve and change, the actual technology, not just the communication, can influence the way we lead our lives.

I’ve noticed lately that sometimes when I write by hand, my hand just can’t keep up with the flow of my thoughts. I type far faster than I could possibly scribble.  Spelling is also trickier when I write by hand—not because of the lack of spell check function on a piece of paper, but more because the letters almost look funny in my own handwritten script.  The technology of typing makes it easier for my hands to keep up with my brain.

In that respect, I’m pleased that technology is assisting the way I write, and hopefully it’s helping me to become a better, more efficient writer.

But I wonder if my style of writing – if the “voice” that I’ve spent so many years developing—is also changed by technology? It stands to reason that it is.

I’m curious how ‘message’ and ‘means of writing’ are related. Of course, the medium and the message are entwined, so it stands to reason that perhaps the method of writing and what is actually written are likewise interwoven.

If I sat down to write the same piece at a manual typewriter, at an electric typewriter, at an old word processor, with a pen and paper, with a quill and parchment—would the words that emerge from my brain be significantly different in structure, pace, tone, euphony?

An intriguing concept. I must investigate further. Perhaps I need to make like Joan Didion and find myself a fetching typewriter. Or maybe I could bridge the gap between hand writing and typing by visiting this site which creates a custom font based on your hand writing samples. Or maybe, I should explore a really, really nice pen.

On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States of America. This historically significant day, which means so much to so many people for so many reasons, centered around the oath of office which President Obama swore.

But historically, it is the opportunity for personal expression that comes after the oath that people remember—the Inaugural Address. And Obama, the great and inspiring speaker that he is, did not disappoint. I found his speech moving, inspiring, eloquent, and full of specific ideas and concerns as well as concrete calls-to-action. It has earned its place in the cannon of memorable speeches. The ‘new era of responsibility’ sits justly in the pantheon of American rhetoric, next to fearing fear itself, asking what you can do for your country and our better angels.

Among his many myriad strengths, assets and talents is President Obama’s ability to craft beautiful prose. His books, his speeches—all are beautifully written, as well as beautifully delivered. He writes his own speeches, which no doubt contributes to the amount of passion which he brings to his deliveries. This inauguration speech mixes poetry and powerful message to eloquent effect.

Our President is a brilliant writer, and I couldn’t be more proud. Read the full text of his phenomenal speech here.

“Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends – hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism – these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility – a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence – the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed – why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.”

-Barack Obama, President of The United States of America
Inaugural Address