Writing by hand is good for your brain
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Writing by hand engages more brain regions than typing, offering cognitive benefits.
Neal Stephenson, a longtime fountain pen user, explains that handwriting recruits more brain regions than typing, aided by the physical problem-solving of spacing, letter connections, and arm movements. He recommends using fountain pens or gel pens with minimal force, paper with good "tooth" (like notebooks or cotton paper), and cursive for less fatigue. He advises writing on one side of the page, using cheap pens initially, and choosing ink cartridges for convenience. Stephenson, who is left-handed, reports no smudging issues with quick-drying inks.
His advice targets those returning to handwriting due to AI's impact on education, where students now take in-person exams longhand.
What commenters are saying
Commenters split into two camps: those who embrace handwriting for memory and focus, and skeptics questioning the causal link between brain activity and learning. Some argue the study shows only correlation, not causation, and that keyboard typing may be more productive for software development. Pro-tips include using a reMarkable tablet for notes, LLMs for handwriting transcription (e.g., Inksightful app), and citing that the cited study found increased theta and alpha band connectivity during handwriting, but no actual learning task was tested.
Others defend handwriting, noting it aids recall, and suggest that "coding without an LLM is also good for your brain."