Why write? Penmanship for the 21st Century | Jake Weidmann | TEDxMileHigh
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. What is the future of writing in the digital age, and why does it matter? In this surprising talk, Master Penman Jake Weidmann explores the connections between the pen and how we learn, think, and carry our cultural heritage at a time when the very act of writing is being dropped from school curricula across the country.
Jake Weidmann became the youngest person to receive his Master Penman certificate in July 2011. He works across several mediums including drawing in pencil and charcoal; pen and ink; painting in acrylic, airbrush, oil and gouache; sculpting in wood, bone, antler and clay; and is versed in numerous forms of calligraphy. He is best known for the integration of flourishing and hand- lettering in his art. Jake also designs his own hand-made pens. He, like his pens, travels the globe, reintroducing this Old World art form and cultivating its relevance in the world of today, of tomorrow, and forevermore.
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)
I had a university professor in a veterinary anatomy class who insisted that his subject would use no text book or printed notes. We were required to copy every anatomy drawing from the overhead projector and take notes at record speed or be lost with no course material to study later. We were mutinous. We objected. We complained. The old man remained unmoved. I still marvel at how, even after all these years, his lectures remain the most vivid in my memory. His presentations were singularly uninspiring, so I'm left to conclude that his success had mostly the pen to thank. Out of all my text books, I have kept that one. I feel strangely pleased with it. I think he gave us more than most.
That is amazing!
I do think there is something about putting pen to paper in this way that deeply connects with us and helps us remember things.
***** I have a similar experience. A biology teacher in highschool. He didn't want us to have books. We copied what he wrote on the blackboard (old school!). Illustrations included. I don't ever recall anyone liking his method. But, now, more than 30 years later, I teach science. Everytime I open a science book, I look at illustrations of cells, for example, and they just look so familiar, I remember everything in it. I remember exactly my notes. I just can't impose the same discipline now to my students. I'm in the U.S. now. The emphasis is on something else...
67Mannheim That's exactly my experience!
I went to elementary school where the curriculum consisted of writing our own textbooks. This was for every subject. While I can't say the writing helped me in every subject, it did have a huge effect on my memory of history since we had to write twice if not three times. The first would be the notes we took during lectures, then we had re-write it, in a narrative form for homework (since our school didn't allow us to use computers this was usually on lined paper). This would be turned in to the teacher, who would do corrections and would check to see if we understood the information. Finally, we would be allowed to put it in our textbook (usually a large blank book). We used calligraphy pens and unless it was science, we could only use cursive. We also had to illustrate the books, draw maps, pictures, and add just general flourish to the pages. I remember actually getting points off if my pages were too plain or too blank. While it was a lot of work, I learned the most about penmanship and handwriting there. And even today people compliment my handwriting.
Blackcatninja09 Thanks for sharing your interesting experience. In which country was that? It sounds like a very time consuming way of learning, but I could imagine it would be an effective method. It makes sense to me.
In Germany, every kid learns cursive and writes with a fountain pen at school. I’ve written about 250 diaries in my 44 years (started at about 8 years old) and my son (10) is writing his in cursive, too. Since he was 4 years old. The teacher told him for the last 2 years (he is in 4th grade) that he has the most beautiful handwriting. My pen and my diary is so very dear to me. They are my best friends, I would say (although that sounds kind of strange).
Besides my son, of course!!!
I've had teachers who have told me not to write in cursive and would tell me to write in print. It was frustrating as a kid because I was always working on my cursive to make it beautiful. I also was poor as a kid and didn't really have anything like video games or friends, so I spent most of my time writing and practicing my handwriting.
This speech inspires me even though it's old.
Violet -- - - Good for you! I hope they didn't dock you on your grades because it.
No effort is ever wasted. Your exercises added beauty to your life.
Cursive means you can speed up your writing in exams and be able to beat against the clock.
I hope you wrote in cursive anyway.
Maybe she couldn’t read cursive.
I can feel the tremble in his voice, you know he's nervous and serious. awesome
Once he got past the first several minutes where he sounds like something between an Evangelical preacher and Margaret Atwood, he finally got his stride and was amazing!
I am so inspired by this Renaissance man. Not only is he careful and artistic in his penmanship and art but he is articulate in his word choice. I found his speaking to be excellent with his word choices.
totally agree with you
Calla Gold Jewelry arty man
Absolutely. It is wonderful to see that there are men like him in the world - or at least one.
Justo iba a comentar el impacto que tuvo en mi la elocuencia de sus palabras. Inspirador.
It would be nice to write to someone again
I never dreamed a simple pen and paper would be so valuable in my life. I have taken the ability to read and write for granted. I took calligraphy in high school but was never very good at it. Recently I have begun to explore the pen and paper again. It's such a luxury to be able to write down thoughts and ideas. I was showing some young people how I was taught to write in the first and second grade and they were so enthralled with my "old school" writing. I had no idea cursive handwriting would be considered outdated and out moded. I really enjoyed this lecture.
As a fountain pen user, love his talk about pens!
Bought my son a fountainpen a few months ago.. now he spotted my spencerian practice with my flex pen... he asked me to teach him how to do that line variation..
Not sure how to tell my wife I bought my 10 year old a 200,- pen🤣😁 what to do?
@@mikerose2504 You could write a letter to her detailing the many reasons of why this "investment" in your child is absolutely necessary.
My cursive is not pretty but it improves 100% with a fountain pen. Half the fun is searching for that one perfect pen.
I rediscovered the joy of writing at 32, now thinking of getting a cheap fountain pen to start with.
@@mikerose2504 I bought my 11 year old an FPR haha thank God they made these for under 100,- now.
While I would be ok to buy him the same one as I have, I would fear every day he takes it to school
His draw of penholders looks like Olivanders wand shop! They are so unique and different to each other that you can almost know them and what he was feeling when he created them
Writing is relaxing too.
LOL
Absolutely true! I'm giving up the Mayhem of social media more and more and writing letters, I love it ♥️
I can assure those who watch this video that you are truly watching the Best of the Best and Jake will forever be among the ranks of those who came before him and were the original Master Penmen from the 19th century and onto the 20th century! He is a prodigy in every sense of the word...written or otherwise!
Thank you! You said so aptly what is true. A handwritten note FEELS more sincere and caring.
When I realized my 12 year old granddaughter was not going to learn penmanship in school, I purchased the Spencerian workbook set and set her to learning. She became the possessor of a beautiful hand, and the only student in her school who could read and write script. I just gifted her a Japanese fountain pen for her 17th Christmas.
Passion, no matter what the cause, is the key to success.
I'm eternally grateful for the intensive penmanship training that I had at the school that I went to. I really learned to value and appreciate a beautiful and neat handwriting. Handwriting especially in cursive is one of the things I look forward to ever since I can remember. No matter ho hard I try to digitize ever single thing in my life, a pen and a paper will always have a special place in my heart. That kind of feeling you get when your words just flows on paper especially when writing in cursive is just something that's hard to explain.
From first grade up til 6th grade, we always have a separate subject for penmanship, which was graded and was recorded in our reported cards. That subject was very rigorous especially in our 5th and 6th grade. Loved that subject so much. So grateful for my teachers especially on those last two years as I would never have the handwriting that I have today if it wasn't for them. From first grade to senior year high school(I went to the same school from grade school til high school) we had a separate notebook for each and every single subject where taking down notes was a serious business. The teacher will always have things presented that may be completely different from the texbooks, and we have to write down every single thing they write or post on the board, which were usually extremely long. Our notebooks were graded based on how complete, how neat and how good our havdwriting were at the end of each quarter and these grades were at the very least 10% of our grade for each subject. And, especially in high school, those notebooks are part of the requirement neede for each teacher to sign your clearance, which is vital if you want to get your report card at the end of each year. No report cards, then you're not moving up a grade. It might sound horrible to some, but I would never have it any other way. I'd always treasure that experience amongst so many other things.
For over a decade, this simple TED talk has continued to inspire and encourage me. Thanks, Jake.
One of the best Ted Talks ever . Anytime. Anywhere! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I have never been more inspired to learn Spencerian after watching this one. Jake is awe inspiring
He is so poetic!!!! I've never been so entertained while listening to an educational talk. Haha
I’m always inspired when I see an individual do something well. With Mr. Weidmann, those things just happen to be drawing, painting, carving, woodworking, and last but not least, speaking!
Thank you Jake for the beautiful talk. You've inspired to again take up writing in style. I was horrified when I heard from my student that their school & many other schools have banned cursive writing. I still have hope after watching your story that beautiful handwriting will make a great comeback.
They've banned it? That's appalling! And worrying.
@@itsacarolbthing5221
That's true at few places I've heard. Cursive writing trains brain to think and be creative. This complement logical reasoning too.
Yes yes yes! As soon as my son could control his grasp, I let him write with pen. The marks made are more satisfying than pencils or crayons. He uses everything now! He's 2! We started painting in May. He loves writing and drawing. 💕
I practice handwriting everday!! Because of the articles I’ve read on how it changes our personalities, how it affects our brain functions, I will keep doing sessions of handwriting everyday
Your presentation marks a humble man, an appropriately proud father and husband, and to top the cake, the love for your mother. This speaks volumes with the very foundation centered on the Chief Corner Stone, Jesus. This is what I hear and see. Semper Fi, R. Mercado, Ph.D., M.Div.
This young gentleman has an immense passion and exacting talents. Patience is key to great accomplishments! OUTSTANDING!
Jake Weidmann is an outstanding penman and I'm glad he achieved such heights in his art. The feel for wood is like the feel for beautiful script. Thank you, Jake, for this lovely presentation.
Awesome talk Jake! I really believe people who think Kindles replace books, keyboards replace writing, etc. are incredibly short-sighted. I'm a graphic designer, and while I love what I do, I will never quit drawing with pens! A lot of people don't understand why I won't use a Wacom tablet or something, but there is SO much that just isn't the same!
I'm starting to learn graphical videos so if you have any tips on capturing the art to convert it to the computer for editing I would appreciate it.
I insisted to my mom yesterday that online books don't count as real reading.
Whilst I think electronic books do count as reading, I don't count listening to Audible as reading, but I know some people do.
I have my favourite books, that I will keep, but I don't have the room to keep books. I've read over fifty books this year, and that would take up so much space if I had the real books. I've always been a prolific reader, and I love the smell of books, the feel of a new book. So I only buy a real book it I've read it on kindle and really loved it.
@@jamlane Sorry for the super late response, but typically I draw in a sketch book and then use a scanner to digitize it. I then use Photoshop or Illustrator to take it further depending on the project.
I had no idea so much craftsmanship goes into being a master penman. He’s an amazing artist
I have to write an eassy about ';why do you think it is important to write in the 21st century'' and this was very helpful , thank you!
lovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelove
Thank you for being someone who agrees that penmanship is a necessary part of education and a great art form in which to express one's self. Yes, technology helps when time is short (to record your thoughts and ideas), but drawing can do the same. Many times handwriting is not thought of as a part of reading education. As a retired teacher, I taught handwriting as it helped sound out words and sometimes acted as a jumping off point for other lessons. Again, Thanks Jake.
Wow, Jake. What a talent you have. Thank you so much for sharing it with the world. God bless you.
WOW! I am blown away. He is an excellent communicator, brilliant write, exquisite artist and an incredible humble man. Thank you for this video!
Brilliant and powerful. Thank you, Jake, for sharing your gifts with the world!
OMG... I'm out of words. This talk left me speechless.
a tedx talk i didnt hate. well done!
TBucker lmbo
Paradigm shift 2070
This is the most stunning "Ted Talks" ever. There is hope for our future.
WOW, impressive! As a student of life over the years I have dabbled in drawing and even calligraphy though not to the level of your expertise. While embroiled in modern technology today and cursing it more than embracing it, I love writing, be it cards, letters, to do lists, lists of my lists, drawing floor plans of houses and horse trailer living quarters, and more. Give me a scale ruler and pencil or pen and let me go. I am proud of my signature and make sure it is a good representation of who I am. Loved your TED talk.
One of the best speeches I have ever heard.
Very eloquent.
This Ted talk made me dream and simply blew my mind
This is so inspiring. I'm in college and my teachers too pass around my written assignments around the class to showcase my handwriting to my other batchmates. I'm surely going to learn more of this and aim to be more creative at it. :)
I am a Biology instructor at a Community College; I have adapted my teaching methods, by allowing students time to write the notes from the board first before I start talking about the subject. This allows the students to actually think about and compare what they already know about the subject, and they are able to formulate more intelligent questions, and are literally studying as they are writing. Every now and then I have a student that wants to insist that I allow them to print out a set of PowerPoints for notes. I never cave to this uninformed method of acquiring notes. Brain Science says that it is more effective to hand -write the notes.
Renie Johnston excellent!
Renie Johnston Thank you for keeping that alive. I've always learned best by those methods. I wish more instructors understood how important that is for memory and critical thinking. I would venture to guess that your students excel in the subject and will continue to remember you and your teachings for years to come.
Taking notes as a brain stimulator for class discussion! WOW! Didn't know it led to more intelligent discussion! Glad you didn't let the students just print out the notes!
You're an excellent teacher!
😁🍎😁
That's awesome most teachers don't give people enough time to do that it causes so many problems if others would take a little time to do what you have
This made me smile, just listening to him talk. His excitement and love for it, but also the beauty of the penmanship and all that too.
What a wonderfully inspiring talk. It needed to be said, thank you.
How did you not get applauds when you showed your artwork?! The wood piece is insane! You’ve mastered many things 🖖
Bravo, bravo, bravo! Incredible artist and incredible talk! You found a way to connect us all to the pen and rouse us into (at least me) into a rally cry to never let go of the pen; Never stop teaching penmanship or cursive writing to children! Amen brother! I plan to share this video with as many as I can!
Bravo, Jake! Keep talking, and maybe other people will begin to see the wisdom.
Thank you.
Inspiring. We need more people like him. Handwriting is forever...
Thank you Jake! I stand with you in agreement and wholeheartedly!
I totally agree with Jake, balance between technology and tradition is the way to go:) Beautiful pens, wow, I wish I could have one, one day!
Master Penman indeed, that spiral drawing is brilliant. That was a very enjoyable Ted Talk, thanks for posting..
amazed at the thumbs down....However not overly surprised. He is totally correct in his speech and delivery and i give him much respect as a Master Pennman.
I seen a print of that last portrait he did hanging at a church. I literally broke a conversation to go and stare at it for 20 minutes. Amazing artist!
What an inspiring talk, and what a gifted artist! BRAVO!
13:00 tearing up this is so inspiring and amazing wow 🤩
I love this… so true in understanding how learning happens. The more senses used the better the learning.
I have watched this several times, and this guy still blows my mind- in older times he would perhaps have been called a "Renaissance man" - pursuing his passion, and ever improving, learning and practicing. And in the 'every day' aspect of life - I think that anyone who has ever received a legible, handwritten love note or any other piece of true self expression from someone special, would agree that where a typed or printed not may be filed away or misplaced, the handwritten note will be treasured for years.
This video is very empowering and INSPIRING CELEBRITY INTERVIEW
This is the most inspiring talk ever! Loved it! WOW!!
that was a great speech. i almost passed it as like ambient sound to fill my day of listening to something good and beneficial without being or the need to actually focus on what was being imparted by the speaker. thank goodness that i actually want to give this speaker my "moment". it is inspiring.
i use "moment" to silence all the busy thoughts that i have in my mind and to actually give entire focus on the subject, so that i could learn new things that i might missed if i were not in the moment.
thank you jake.
I know I've watched this before, but there is something in it that stirs my soul. I was schooled in England, and we were taught "cursive writing", but it wasn't known as that to us. We called it "real writing", this was back in the 50s. Later, we were allowed to have our own individual style, once we mastered the joining of the letters. I now wish I had been schooled here, in just that subject. My writing isn't bad, and you can read it, but I wish it had more flourish. Having said all this, I now get excited when my youngest granddaughter tells me she is going to learn cursive, with a grimace on her face (she's 8-years-old), and I tell her I will also sit and write with her, so I can learn how to do such beautiful writing too. I am hoping this will encourage her to enjoy this part of her schooling. Time will tell. Thank you for this video. I so enjoy listening to you. Your work is superb 🤩🥰
Amazing, amazing man! So inspiring and clever and creative and entertaining. I also began 8 years ago to improve my Palmer Method writing which I learned in Mexico at the age of 9! My parents took me and my sister there for 2 years so we could meet all our relatives and learn our heritage in school, but writing became my artistic expression until I learned more artistic methods in High School here in Chicago. But I also realized the sloppy way in which our children were NOT being taught good writing when my own kids started school. They were not even being taught the basics of holding a pen, let alone writing cursive. The modern way was to be found in computers. ANd like he said, we are eradicating our writing skills with technology. I applaud him and his amazing talent.
I love writing.. It helps in relieving stress
I forget how I first came across his work, but it is indeed extraordinary!
This talk was so beautiful. I hope there's a transcription of it. (Or I may have to do one.) He should do parts of it in his calligraphy as well!
I would love to learn all of this history. I thought I was the only one who loves pens and writing in this way!
I thought I was the last of my kind.....
vivaloriflamme It's wonderful to know we're not alone, isn't it? And it makes me so happy to see a young and gifted artist like him keeping beautiful writing alive!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. So true and inspiring.
Yes,yes someone is finally is saying what I always knew to be true we learn to print as children but as we grow handwriting is your own signature of your own life.I will always push those who insist on printing only to grow their hearts and brains connected to what comes through their hands in writing not printing. Thank you for this video.
I don't think he's saying printing is bad and we must all write in styles like Spencerian and Copperplate,just that we write by hand. Those are two very modern scripts. Today's cursive is a simpler version of them. But prior to them script styles didn't have giant flourishes. Look at early scripts like Carolingian or Roman. Quite simple, not even connected, the only embellishments are serifs. Gothic script gets pretty crazy, but that's part of the reason it stopped being used. I don't think your brain cares how ornate your writing is, just that it's done with a pen, not a keyboard.
I'm a millennial who got into fountain pens a few months ago. Greatest investment in a long time. My grades are improving in school.
I'm inspired to become a master penman.
Program is closed, but with enough skill, you can still get a title. Someone did, this past October when it was already closed. ;)
May I have the source about Mr. Spencer on the beauty of God and his writing? That connection is priceless and I would like to read more about it!
Jaw dropping. Jake's talent and dedication are really something special.
I agree as he has been kind of superhero to me if you ever get the chance to see his stuff your jaw will drop. I could only wish for a quarter of his gift for calligraphy. I just practices every day and am quite hard on myself about errors and lots of small and large flourished drills too. I have a bone disease that causes the main load barring joints break down and collapse due to the failure of a blood supply to the joint and it dies and the only thing you can hope for is that it does not come back in a different joint or your spine. We, after My first hip replacement in 2007 I was browsing on the internet and loved what I saw in first fountain pens as I could take the them out in public and prefer to do professional work and lovely letters at home with a Vintage EF flex nib that I wish they could make a new nib and yet get the same flex as the vintage nibs but I also understand the reasons why that may not be the best business move due to cost for the quality that would be needed. Maybe one day it will be worth it and we will see new nibs with a vintage flex. We just have top wait.
There are many geniuses around the world and in many fields to be known,but an genius in a field like this is something to realize that one can push ourselves to become absolutely fantastic in a form of fields such as this also.There as said other 10 12 other masters aorund the world but he being the youngest gives me the required inspiration at this age and for a aspiring young person like myself,i feel this is absolutely true inspiration.
Wonderful presentation.
This is the best TED talk in a long time. What an inspirational young man.
Just the physical output of idea to paper is so satisfying.
Thank you for the Beautiful talk!
I enjoyed this man's presentation so much. I must say how disappointed I am at some of those in the audience. How dull some of them must be. The blank look on some of their faces.
+Susi “Froggy” Porter . I thought the same. Such miserable people who couldn't even find it in themselves to clap. They are probably insanely jealous of Jake's achievements and cannot be happy for him.
God bless! I am using handwriting a lot with several health benefits.
When I was just in elementary school I loved to write. My handwriting was better then than is now sadly at 57. I wish they still taught it in school. I agree it helped my learning and was an excellent student because of it.
Thank you people for this unmissable video for learners from any field of knowledge.👍
Thanks!
This guy is amazing!!! The most convincing advocate of handwriting, hands down:)
I'm an educator in school. It always amazes me that when I write cursive on a board in front of 14 year olds, half of them can't read it. They ask me to print. It always blows my mind.
Heartbreaking...
Thk u!! Most high for sending me here😍 I love u, for ur guidence & grace😍
As @JakeWeidman says, writing captures our personality, but it even captures our voice. If you find something that somebody you know has handwritten and you read it, I promise you, you will hear their voice. ♥️
I'm speechless. That was so beautiful.
I am simply stunned.
I'm so encouraged to improve my penmanship!!! Thank you!!
Wow this is absolutely breathtaking and so inspiring!
an inspiring speech with great meaning!!!
Very good talk.
l'm so proud of you Jake.
Wonderful speech
Beautiful!💓
Such beautiful insights. A jewel for any typewriter enthusiast.
Very interesting presentation and his skills are amazing and beautiful. I too am saddened to see schools not teaching cursive it should not become a lost art.
funny thing is. kids learn how to write in cursive before even learning print... in non english speaking countries. that just seems so sad
It appears we are dumbing down education, it is sad. Get getting the message out. I just provided learning books for a friend whose child is not learning cursive in school to help her teach him. Years ago they told me my son didn't need spelling after 5th grade as spell check would be all he needs. Funny, I am a nurse and their is no spell check in hospital documentation (which is good). The younger nurses are terrible spellers. Your a breath of fresh air.
Cursive is useless. It's slow, unwieldy and I'd rather that time be spent teaching reading comprehension, vocabulary, sentence structure, or any other largely foundational skill of communication. If someone wants to write fancy, that's fine to do on their own time, but required for all kids? Many people don't work like that.
richardrises On the contrary, many people, including myself, find it much faster to write in cursive than in print. Now, I'm not an extremely staunch supporter of making kids write in cursive for everything, but it would be good for them to have at least some exposure to cursive so they can read old documents better.
richardrises
Taking notes in cursive vs typing on a keyboard increases comprehension and retention. All people work like that. Some more than others, but none less. All the other skills you mentioned are taught as well as handwriting.
Beautiful presentation.
Heartwarming, truth and advisable.
He is so inspiring. Superb. Wonderful personality.
ABSOLUTELY Wonderful! It doesn't have to be Calligraphy but merely the act of writing so pick up a pen, pencil, fountain pen, crayon and WRITE!
Since the Master Penman title is closed, then I'll proclaim myself as such but first- Need to do lots and lots of practice. first and foremost. Was introduced to calligraphy when I was a freshman in high school. Love the art and learned a few but didn't really took it by heart to deepen my knowledge and practice. By watching this presentation, it has again been rekindled. Hopeful :)
I have written only in cursive since third grade, and I love it!
wow very very POWERFUL word. . . being a WRITER it all MAKES sense!!! what a GOOD way to start my WEEKEND!!