I’m certainly not the first to note that the ability to delete, copy, paste, and re-arrange has changed the writing process. If I’d drafted this post on a typewriter, the result would likely be different, but I’m not entirely sure how. Would I have made quicker progress, without trying out so many different variations of the first line? Would having to re-type from the beginning, rather than replacing a single word or phrase, change how I thought about revision? It would be an interesting experiment. At the very least, it would be a relief to use a machine dedicated to writing alone—one that cannot also receive e-mail, news alerts, and Facebook messages. But when I ask my parents about their experiences with typewriters, all I get are horror stories about Wite-Out.