Richard Branson wants to bring back the pen
Virgin founder Richard Branson was recently shocked to learn that half of today’s 13 to 19-year-olds have never written a thank you letter, or even more concerning that one in 10 don’t even own a pen.
The 65-year-old was so concerned with these worrying statistics that he decided to pen a blogpost declaring the need to bring back the pen.
It reads: “These worrying statistics are, in part, due to rise of online messaging. Just like the advent of the iPod put many of our Virgin Megastores out of business, the texting teenager is determining the fate of the pen.
While yours truly has embraced technology – communicating and blogging on the go via mobile phone and iPad – I still love to write down my thoughts and feelings. I carry a notebook with me wherever I go, and author letters whenever I get the chance. There’s something so romantically resolute about putting pen to paper. It holds more meaning, more intention and more substance than digital text.
I found it astounding that around 83 per cent of teens surveyed have not written a love letter. What a shame! As a young lad, one of my favourite past times was writing poetry and letters to my sisters and the objects of my affection. While I was by no means a Casanova, it allowed me to express, and come to terms with, my feelings.
Teenagers should be encouraged to write letters. Letter writing is not only a good emotional outlet, but it also helps build key life skills like hand writing, spelling and grammar. Sadly, critics believe that texting will see the art of handwriting eventually disappear, and two thirds of teenagers admit that using their smartphones and social media is detrimental to their writing.
It’s time to bring back the pen. I urge everyone, and not just teenagers, to write a letter to someone today. Or to get even more practice, do what I do, keep a notebook with you and write down your thoughts, ideas and dreams as they come to you.”
Source: Virgin