A Lost Art
What ever happened to Pen-Pals?
I like the idea of Pen-Pals, and they seem to have gone the way of the DoDo. I guess it could be argued that technology has advanced and that the paradigm shift did not allow for pen and paper friends. It's sad really.
How many of you had a pen pal growing up? Do you remember the excitement of receiving a letter in the mail? Or in your classroom? Did you enjoy talking to someone and learning about their culture and life?
This is the sort of thing that's right up my alley. I love discovering new people. So I think to myself, maybe theirs a website devoted to pen-palling. . . and there is, except they are all a bit creepy and full of men (how convenient for them).
Then you get the stories where the person turns out to be a mass murderer. Which really makes one hesitate about putting that ink to parchment.
And if you really start thinking about it we don't live in the safest time in history. Who knows whats really on the other side of the computer. I suppose you could put an ad up for a pen pal that read like this:
I guess pen pals are for little kids who write to other little kids in the safety of their classrooms. Or maybe they just don't exist any more. Maybe some rare, obscure cousin is still out there but without the warm, fluffy feeling that the real thing had.
I like the idea of Pen-Pals, and they seem to have gone the way of the DoDo. I guess it could be argued that technology has advanced and that the paradigm shift did not allow for pen and paper friends. It's sad really.
How many of you had a pen pal growing up? Do you remember the excitement of receiving a letter in the mail? Or in your classroom? Did you enjoy talking to someone and learning about their culture and life?
This is the sort of thing that's right up my alley. I love discovering new people. So I think to myself, maybe theirs a website devoted to pen-palling. . . and there is, except they are all a bit creepy and full of men (how convenient for them).
Then you get the stories where the person turns out to be a mass murderer. Which really makes one hesitate about putting that ink to parchment.
And if you really start thinking about it we don't live in the safest time in history. Who knows whats really on the other side of the computer. I suppose you could put an ad up for a pen pal that read like this:
Looking for a fun, friendly personality to share stories of life, laughter and interests. Must be within the ages of 25-35 and female and willing to communicate via email or pen. Living outside the United States a plus. Applicants should be aware--background checks are thorough.
I guess pen pals are for little kids who write to other little kids in the safety of their classrooms. Or maybe they just don't exist any more. Maybe some rare, obscure cousin is still out there but without the warm, fluffy feeling that the real thing had.
Comments
I think blogs are today's equivalent of pen-pals.