Darth Vader used a typewriter. Probably.

Typewriters in the Age of Technology

The holidays are upon us.

I often find myself looking for deep roots to these holidays. I've been studying Exoteric Christianity, via the works of Rudolf Steiner. In part because my daughters go through his school system, Waldorf Education. Part of the purpose of Waldorf Education is to root strongly developed humans into the earth, and to offer an alternative to the 'mass indoctrination camp', as some call public schools. (Based partially on the book a Weapons of Mass Instruction).

Fear not, I went to public schools, and came out with some redeeming qualities! However, as I have a few generations of children in schools. in my vicinity, they've changed.

https://www.amazon.com/Weapons-Mass-Instruction-Schoolteachers-Compulsory/dp/0865716692

This gets us to typewriters.

Steiner thought that Ahriman would incarnate around now: a dark figure that is part technology. So 'his' agenda is to make humans 'materialistic' and 'anti-spiritual', as well as to infiltrate every corner of our lives with technology. In that sense, it seems it's been a success.

Any digital communication has something of the Ahrimanic about it. I can say this, and you probably notice the distinction, right? For instance, someone will say: 'murder this person' in a twitter comment, and they'd never say that in person. That's an example of the Ahrimanic influence.

That dialogue got me into typewriters, actully. Now, granted, they are still machines, however they are empowering versions of machines in a few ways.

They provide an opportunity to focus on the written word (that is, afterall, all they do).

They free us from screens so that we can think and avoid mind-numbing frequencies and distractions.

They free us from the electrical grid (if a manual), at least temporarily. We can rationalize why this is effective in pursuit of 'being human', and there are probably deeper layers. Are Thoresen, for instance, a clairvoyant anthroposophically inclined accupuncturist says that electric grids cause the elementals in that area to relocate. For instance, certain native american tribal elders mention being able to talk to the nature spirits before 'electricity came'.

Exiting the Digital Labyrinth through Digital Detox

So, in Waldorf Education, we strive to keep electronics out of the equation for as long as possible. (Silicon Valley Waldorf schools are full and there is a waiting list, by the way). So these are even the places that some of the tech industry sends their kids.

So, typewriters can provide a way out of that labyrinth. I'm writing this now as my last 5 or so orders have been gifts for children, age 9-12, that requested a vintage typewriter as their number one Christmas gift.

This lead me to ponder Christ and the nature of technology. They are essentially linked, afterall.

Now, aside from being a child of the public schools, I also grew up in a family of devout atheists. So every view I hold of Christianity is pretty unique, at least as far as organized religion goes.

So I'm experimenting like this:

I'm writing a novel, very slow moving, on a 1921 Hammond Folding Typewriter, shown above.

I see clients in 'esoteric' healing work via zoom, (after many years of seeing them in person), and note how the technology influences the equation). [I recently saw a Christian business mentor on a zoom call, and when the video cut out for a minute, he said: 'Ah, there's Satan, just when I was getting to the good stuff... let's pray him out of here!'. ]

I'm writing on a laptop, another series of novels and blog posts, and contrasting the voice and process.

So in summation, when you see people glued to screens, and performing in 'asocial' activities under the guise of 'social', you can consider experimenting with seeing that as the Ahrimanic influence. (Darth Vader was based on Steiner's writings on Ahriman, btw, According to anthroposophical scholar Dougles Gabriel - he even consulted with the director during script writing).

How here's the consideration: did Star Wars further the agenda of the dark side, or did it help unravel it? We are still discovering. We do have the Christ-like Jedi archetypes, that seem to 'live by the sword.' I myself certainly learned about Zen Buddhism (my gateway into presence) via a little green pointy-eared creature. Those film woke me up more than once (Joseph Campbell referred to Star Wars as the pivotal myth of our age).

So while you're wondering what Christmas is about, assailed by screens and asocial impulses, assaulted by fearful futures, rest assured... it is all unfolding according to a divine plan, which we only catch glimpses of. (And I catch many glimpses of it through the process of writing, and I find that a vintage portable typewriter is the most transcendental tool for that).

Happy Holidays,

Steven Budden Jr.

Classic Typewriter Co.

PS. As for the Christmas order queue, I am full.So this gives me a moment's rest for quiet reflection, before I dive into a room full of machines, pondering then nature of machinery. Though you can still order for delivery in January.

If you have an order in, trust that I am working on it.

The Picture is a Folding Hammond Multiplex Typewriter, circa 1921, and a 2021 Remarkable 2 tablet, with an Echo Dot.