Podcast

SPOS #967 – Roland Allen On Notebooks, Writing And Thinking

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Welcome to episode #967 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

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!

Chapters:

(00:00) – The Invisible World of Notebooks.
(02:46) – The Ritual of Writing.
(06:10) – Digital vs. Analog: The Writing Experience.
(09:01) – The Evolution of Notebooks.
(11:49) – Cultural Perspectives on Writing.
(15:07) – The History and Purpose of Notebooks.
(18:12) – The Future of Handwriting.
(21:04) – The Impact of Technology on Writing.
(24:08) – The Art of Note-Taking.
(27:08) – The Journey of Writing a Book.
(37:25) – The Purpose of Notebooks: Thinking vs. Writing.
(39:00) – Exploring the World of Stationery.
(40:20) – Notebook Preferences: A Personal Journey.
(44:40) – The Craft of Writing: Learning from Masters.
(46:19) – The Value of Libraries and Reading.
(48:27) – The Intrigue of Personal Notebooks.
(52:07) – The Superpower of Reading and Note-Taking.
(56:44) – Trends in Notebooks and Stationery.

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast – Episode #967.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

2 comments

  1. This is so relevant for me right now! I am an avid writer, and notebook- journal keeper- however ever since I lost my journals from 1996- to 2018 from the Lava Insurrection in Pahoa which took the house I lived in, and all its contents, it has been very difficult to get back on the horse so to speak- Writing- just knowing how temporary this world really is. It is not to say I haven’t written from 2018- on- I have it is just much more sparse then in the past, as I wrote everyday – where as now it is lucky if I write three or four times a month. This has inspired me to continue my writing journey thank you!

    1. Kate, I am so sorry for your loss… that is a very difficult situation to be in. One thing I have recently discovered is handwriting my notes on my iPad in Apple Notes with the Apple Pencil. It has been, surprisingly, pleasant (especially if you add the Paper-Like screen filter on the iPad)… this way I have the benefits of handwritten notes with the benefits of the cloud (my notes are both saved and accessible on all of my devices)… I do love it 🙂

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