Posted by Episode #967 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast is now live and ready for you to listen to:
Roland Allen is a publisher and author based in the UK, with a background in book and notebook publishing. He studied at Manchester University and has written on diverse subjects, including bicycles and bread. Roland has maintained a personal diary for decades and has a particular fondness for stationery. In this conversation, we delved into his latest book, The Notebook – A History of Thinking on Paper, which explores the profound impact of notebooks on creativity and thought processes throughout history (and, wow, I do love notebooks and I loved this book!). Roland shares his insights into how the tactile act of writing engages our senses uniquely, fostering clarity and connection in an increasingly digital world. We discuss the psychological benefits of journaling, the resurgence of interest in handwriting, and how notebooks continue to inspire productivity and joy. His reflections on the utilitarian origins of notebooks and the personal relationships individuals have with their stationery offers a fresh perspective on the value of putting pen to paper. If you’ve ever appreciated the feel of a fresh notebook or the act of writing by hand (or if you can’t walk by a stationary store and not go in… like me), this episode provides a deeper understanding of an often-overlooked tool that has shaped human thought for centuries, and may hold the answer to how you can improve your skills and knowledge in 2025. Enjoy the conversation!
You can grab the latest episode of Six Pixels of Separation here (or feel free to subscribe via Apple Podcast or whatever platform you may choose): #967 – Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.
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Hi Mitch – what a delightful conversation! I agree that there’s something about the brain/hand connection. I bet this is the first time knitting has been mentioned on your podcast!
The section on note taking in meetings reminded me of the value of “contemporaneous notes” as part of my work in HR. As we know, “recollections may vary” and such notes were regularly referred to at a later date.
I loved that Roland uses Polish (“so bad that no one can understand”) from time to time to disguise notes he’d rather no one else reads.
I’m a long term listener, though probably not in your target audience as I’m now retired from corporate life and live in the UK, but you and your guests always provide food for thought.
Thank you for your work and please keep bringing such interesting guests to the podcast.
Anyone who takes the time and interested in the conversation is, 100%, the “target audience.” Thank you for listening… and for taking the time to leave this comment… I appreciate you and happy to be connected to you.