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sofa king

(10,857 posts)

130. OMG I am gonna be rich!

Thu Apr 28, 2016, 02:10 PM

Apr 2016

I used to make a really good living as a transcriber of 17th-Century government documents. I did enough of it that eventually I could sight-read it, and for that I billed at $250 an hour, in some rare cases. But there's virtually no market for that.

But imagine if I could make $50 an hour transcribing postcards, letters from grandparents, diaries....

OCR software sucks with printed documents; it might be a hundred years before it can reliably read cursive handwriting (that, by the way, is almost certainly why it's not encouraged by our government any longer--because they can't automatically read it).

This reminds me very much of some of my engineering friends who are making a mint reading and writing FORTRAN and COBOL programs. Just because a form of language falls out of fashion doesn't mean it is no longer critically important to certain people, and when that happens, the prepared get to charge a premium for the skill.

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I Just Learned That They Don't Teach Cursive Writing In Schools These Days..... [View all] global1 Apr 2016 OP

I believe it is decided by each state. It should be taught, in my opinion. Deuce Apr 2016 #1

It is FOR SURE Taught in Private schools that offer an elite education Chiquitita Apr 2016 #111

I don't think it's every school, but LisaM Apr 2016 #2

Yep. I found that out because of my grandkids. I was horrified. Punkingal Apr 2016 #3

I can't remember the last time I had to read anything in cursive bhikkhu Apr 2016 #4

Sure, that is now for you, but TM99 Apr 2016 #7

It would be a trivial level of ignorance bhikkhu Apr 2016 #53

What a shame not being able to read archives or old diaries mainer Apr 2016 #85

they could get translated once. I am more interested what is going to happen to signing things. hollysmom Apr 2016 #101

You make it sound as if it's absolutely impossible Mariana Apr 2016 #193

As the son of an English TM99 Apr 2016 #132

I'm a history professor. a la izquierda Apr 2016 #227

When did you stop handwriting letters? muriel_volestrangler Apr 2016 #148

I've hand written many letters, essays, various things over the years bhikkhu Apr 2016 #171

If they don't the time to teach children to write, then what are they teaching them? braddy Apr 2016 #5

Usually it's displaced by keyboarding and a basic comp. sci. curriculum. Chan790 Apr 2016 #48

What does every American need to learn about the computer, don't we do that on our own, at home? braddy Apr 2016 #55

I can put it like this. Chan790 Apr 2016 #73

You just described wood shop, or the automotive class, besides, by that time surely you could write? braddy Apr 2016 #77

K-5th? Chan790 Apr 2016 #79

We don't need all humans to learn how to write programming, just as we didn't need all of them to braddy Apr 2016 #81

No, but we do need them to be able to thrive in an increasingly-computerized world. Chan790 Apr 2016 #82

8-year-olds are not learning to program mainer Apr 2016 #88

That's what I am saying...they are. Chan790 Apr 2016 #89

Yes they are. That's the best age to start them. nt hack89 Apr 2016 #115

Learning how to turn on your computer is something that you can learn at home on your own braddy Apr 2016 #90

I think that "play time" is not introducing the skills in question. Chan790 Apr 2016 #94

Learning to write is extremely important, using a computer is something you do naturally and on braddy Apr 2016 #100

you mean while living in your car? hollysmom Apr 2016 #102

I have no idea what that is supposed to mean, or be about. braddy Apr 2016 #107

well, interestng you question your self, but if you were referring to me, hollysmom Apr 2016 #142

Computers and smart phones are ubiquitous, we don't need to eliminate the ability to write, for braddy Apr 2016 #143

and those with out them, Screw then? hollysmom Apr 2016 #144

Libraries are pretty good at filling that need. mahatmakanejeeves Apr 2016 #202

as part of budget cutting in some states, the libraries are going the way of the dinosaur. hollysmom Apr 2016 #216

And they dont all need to know how to write cursive Travis_0004 Apr 2016 #159

Being able to read and write is important, this is starting to sound like Planet of the Apes. braddy Apr 2016 #163

A litany of rebuttals. Chan790 Apr 2016 #174

The problem is that handwriting and laguage use go hand in hand. Without one the other suffers TeamPooka Apr 2016 #210

I'm a few years older than you and I can say outright that the computer instruction I received Midwestern Democrat Apr 2016 #175

I really have to disagree with you on this. Jim Beard Apr 2016 #178

I do see a problem with it. Chan790 Apr 2016 #181

I bet the elites are still learning to write. braddy Apr 2016 #189

not everyone has computers at home CreekDog Apr 2016 #186

I never mentioned the internet, but a computer or a smart phone is almost universal. braddy Apr 2016 #188

Why can't they learn both? Are their little heads too small? mainer Apr 2016 #86

Every minute of curriculum time spent... Chan790 Apr 2016 #91

what kind of computer science do they teach? Baobab Apr 2016 #126

How can we be expected to teach children to learn how to read Capt. Obvious Apr 2016 #61

I don't know what that means. braddy Apr 2016 #70

Cursive was taught because it was the language of business...long ago. Xithras Apr 2016 #123

I never heard that, we were taught writing so that we could write to each other, take notes, do braddy Apr 2016 #125

"our children won't even be able to read the {snip}" mahatmakanejeeves Apr 2016 #203

We didn't write the Magna Carta, and not many of us have it hanging on our walls and live braddy Apr 2016 #208

You do understand that cursive and printing are different forms of writing? bhikkhu Apr 2016 #172

What world is that where people don't write? I have never seen that, besides they aren't braddy Apr 2016 #187

Both of my children learned to write beautifully in school. . . Journeyman Apr 2016 #6

I'm a substitute teacher in California. In the LibDemAlways Apr 2016 #8

The only time I use cursive romanic Apr 2016 #9

I agree with you Bayard Apr 2016 #10

They don't teach how to use slide rules or abacuses anymore either ... TheDormouse Apr 2016 #11

oh, and in case u didn't get the memo, they don't teach hieroglyphics anymore either TheDormouse Apr 2016 #58

My kids had to learn italic cursive MissB Apr 2016 #12

Did you use quills dipped in ink when you were in school? Scootaloo Apr 2016 #13

Fascinating. I had no idea. ronnie624 Apr 2016 #15

I always print too, and have done since about 7th grade Mariana Apr 2016 #205

Well, apparently, not only can't they write it... dchill Apr 2016 #20

How many books are written in cursive? kentauros Apr 2016 #26

Shit, I couldn't and still can't read my own damned handwriting in cursive... Humanist_Activist Apr 2016 #27

Yup, my cousin's kids can't read anything written in cursive WolverineDG Apr 2016 #65

My kids can read cursive gollygee Apr 2016 #87

Really? What other fonts can't they read? Orrex Apr 2016 #129

Cursive writing is much faster than printing because you don't keep lifting your pen. DamnYankeeInHouston Apr 2016 #40

Exactly -- THANK YOU obamanut2012 Apr 2016 #98

Yep... An outdated technique, IMO. NT Adrahil Apr 2016 #217

Language is always changing. Handwriting, the way we pronounce words, their meanings, LeftyMom Apr 2016 #14

I considered it a form of torture. hunter Apr 2016 #16

This^^ Kittycat Apr 2016 #23

I'm autistic and it took me until I was 18 to learn cursive on my own forjusticethunders Apr 2016 #57

Me too. wickerwoman Apr 2016 #183

Not only a barrier to those with autism, but with any motor co-ordination difficulty LeftishBrit Apr 2016 #196

For left-handed people, cursive can also be PITA. when I was a kid raccoon Apr 2016 #224

Cursive is merely a font in the computer age. Thor_MN Apr 2016 #17

I think you mean... pinboy3niner Apr 2016 #18

In your case, that would be kentauros Apr 2016 #31

That Was Compliments Of Auto-Correction On My Computer.... global1 Apr 2016 #32

And I think you meant to reply to pinboy. kentauros Apr 2016 #35

You should post in cursive, then jberryhill Apr 2016 #117

I was trying to think of an illicit way to reply to this OP treestar Apr 2016 #112

Maybe you could try taking some poetic licentious pinboy3niner Apr 2016 #147

-ness. kentauros Apr 2016 #177

Parents claim and complain about this in my district, not true Kittycat Apr 2016 #19

Deficit, not defecit unc70 Apr 2016 #50

I cursed a lot in school. C Moon Apr 2016 #21

Anyone who wants to learn cursive Mariana Apr 2016 #22

I know an English teacher who signs their name in perfect cursive.... Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2016 #24

If you are interested in history or genealogy, cursive is a must Simongren Apr 2016 #25

If you are interested in history or genealogy Mariana Apr 2016 #207

It's useful if you want to write a letter. UtahJosh Apr 2016 #28

I've never encountered a hand-written cover-letter for a job. HereSince1628 Apr 2016 #34

It appears that you and I are in the minority mainer Apr 2016 #78

This message was self-deleted by its author rjsquirrel Apr 2016 #29

I'm outraged! Outraged, I tell ya! kentauros Apr 2016 #30

Illuminate? With what, LED's? (nt) So Far From Heaven Apr 2016 #219

No. With gold and silver. kentauros Apr 2016 #222

Times change, needs change Marrah_G Apr 2016 #33

I don't get but then I too am malaise Apr 2016 #36

Writing styles/ methods are fluid apcalc Apr 2016 #37

Your signature can literally and legally just be an X obamanut2012 Apr 2016 #39

Good -- a total waste of classroom time considering we don't use quills any more obamanut2012 Apr 2016 #38

"I'd like to illicit some response" jberryhill Apr 2016 #41

You're an old fuddy duddy and just not with the times. LOL. Just kidding. raccoon Apr 2016 #42

No Need To Kid - I Am An Old Fuddy Duddy - A Relic Of The Past - Not With The Times.... global1 Apr 2016 #44

You oughta write science fiction! nt raccoon Apr 2016 #60

Read It Again - We're Not Too Far Away From What You're Calling Science Fiction......nt global1 Apr 2016 #63

The skill will be preserved by the tattooists. MowCowWhoHow III Apr 2016 #43

I wonder how his 2nd wife "Alice" feels about that tattoo. lagomorph777 Apr 2016 #46

They taught it to me many years ago but I never used it. lagomorph777 Apr 2016 #45

I actually fought for like 4 years to get our town to take it out of the curriculum. Chan790 Apr 2016 #47

They don't learn multiplication tables either LiberalEsto Apr 2016 #49

A lot of schools don't teach civics, either. CrispyQ Apr 2016 #51

The don't treach blacksmithing either ghostsinthemachine Apr 2016 #52

Forget typing, just teach thumbing The2ndWheel Apr 2016 #56

I'm glad they don't GummyBearz Apr 2016 #54

We are 21st century code talkers me b zola Apr 2016 #69

I have no doubt it is true GummyBearz Apr 2016 #72

You're only just now learning this? Blue_Tires Apr 2016 #59

How will they write proper thank-you notes? mainer Apr 2016 #62

To answer your two questions, you could print. nt raccoon Apr 2016 #64

Printing is slow and childish looking. Like a serial killer note! mainer Apr 2016 #66

You've never seen a draftsman or architect print then kentauros Apr 2016 #134

I love the lettering on old patent applications. mahatmakanejeeves Apr 2016 #204

From looking at the smaller numbering on that image kentauros Apr 2016 #214

i underdstand where you're coming from but those are societal norms of the past.. i wrote thank you dionysus Apr 2016 #138

Depends on the printer nadine_mn Apr 2016 #231

Seriously? abelenkpe Apr 2016 #122

they may simply be older. i am 38 and remember writing thank you notes as a kid. those old customs dionysus Apr 2016 #139

Is it? There's also Gimp which is free and similar to photoshop abelenkpe Apr 2016 #140

photoshop is subscription now? i think i have photoshop cs2 which has to be quite old by now... dionysus Apr 2016 #141

O yeah! I remember that version abelenkpe Apr 2016 #145

there's soooo much stuff an application like PS can do, if you're not an expert, you only end up dionysus Apr 2016 #146

I still use CS2. kentauros Apr 2016 #179

Time marches on Egnever Apr 2016 #156

Free Graph/Grid paper generator kentauros Apr 2016 #180

We don't need to know a foreign language. We don't need table manners. mainer Apr 2016 #67

Interesting that you bring up foreign languages. Chan790 Apr 2016 #95

I learned a foreign language and cursive and blind typing mainer Apr 2016 #96

It's on average 30-45 minutes a week... Chan790 Apr 2016 #99

All right, all right; I'll get off your lawn. mahatmakanejeeves Apr 2016 #124

I love your poster. nt raccoon Apr 2016 #225

I've never used cursive outside of elementary school when it was taught to me killbotfactory Apr 2016 #68

I'm ok with them not teaching cursive. Captain Stern Apr 2016 #71

They don't teach kids how to use a wax tablet and stylus any more either whatthehey Apr 2016 #74

Oh, man! The Doobie Brothers broke up?!?!!? When did that happen?!?!?!?!!?? TransitJohn Apr 2016 #75

One of San Jose's few contributions to civilization. KamaAina Apr 2016 #136

Up to the states or school systems. tonyt53 Apr 2016 #76

Mine too. frogmarch Apr 2016 #80

Now That You Said It - That There Are More Important Things To Learn In School Than Cursive.... global1 Apr 2016 #104

I've been wondering too. frogmarch Apr 2016 #131

Are kids stupider these days, or what? mainer Apr 2016 #83

It's cultural evolution at work. And it's the Digital Age. randome Apr 2016 #84

Think of all those poor Asian kids learning Kanji mainer Apr 2016 #92

some people don't know how to address yuiyoshida Apr 2016 #93

Those who do learn cursive and a foreign language and music... mainer Apr 2016 #97

I'm curious...which jobs does one have a better crack at for knowing cursive? Captain Stern Apr 2016 #105

it's neurological. Chiquitita Apr 2016 #109

And this. Yes, it's neurological. mainer Apr 2016 #120

thanks, that's what I meant to point out Chiquitita Apr 2016 #150

Music? Maybe. Cursive? Garbage. Orrex Apr 2016 #121

I'm talking about handwriting Chiquitita Apr 2016 #154

Now you're shifting to a very different skill Orrex Apr 2016 #157

After replying to you I was discussing it with my husband, Chiquitita Apr 2016 #165

Well I give that a big thumbs up! Orrex Apr 2016 #173

That makes sense. Captain Stern Apr 2016 #198

A-fricking-men! raccoon Apr 2016 #226

That's interesting, and very well may be true. Captain Stern Apr 2016 #127

a better brain can mean better outcomes Chiquitita Apr 2016 #149

Of course it can. Captain Stern Apr 2016 #197

I take notes by hand, the usefulness of them is in the sketches. hunter Apr 2016 #167

Elicit, not illicit milestogo Apr 2016 #103

Read Above In The Responses To My OP You Will Find The Explanation As To Why That Occurred...nt global1 Apr 2016 #106

People should definitely learn to write, whether print or cursive treestar Apr 2016 #108

"Penmanship" was my favorite class as a kid. Atman Apr 2016 #110

I have not used cursive writing since high school liberal N proud Apr 2016 #113

Didn't you get my note? mahatmakanejeeves Apr 2016 #114

This will probably turn into a class distinction. mainer Apr 2016 #116

No. abelenkpe Apr 2016 #118

If they take test on iPads, does the school provide them if a family can't afford them? muriel_volestrangler Apr 2016 #158

Yeah the school provides the iPads abelenkpe Apr 2016 #168

Because it's an obsolete skill of minimal value. Orrex Apr 2016 #119

My kid's in second grade basselope Apr 2016 #128

OMG I am gonna be rich! sofa king Apr 2016 #130

That wouldn't really be surprising to me honestly GOPblows431 Apr 2016 #133

They do teach children to write, both print and cursive. cleanhippie Apr 2016 #135

So eventually, no one will be able to read documents written in cursive. KamaAina Apr 2016 #137

Wikipedia has translated it into print. Travis_0004 Apr 2016 #160

And Wikipedia is always 100% accurate to a T. KamaAina Apr 2016 #161

You believe that no one is capable of learning to read cursive Mariana Apr 2016 #194

Well, the first three words of that document aren't cursive. kentauros Apr 2016 #212

Are American students expected to write essays under exam conditions? muriel_volestrangler Apr 2016 #151

It's no longer a terribly relevant skill. Jester Messiah Apr 2016 #152

I think more are turning it into an art elective.. glowing Apr 2016 #153

They SHOULD teach driver's ed/rules of the road TheDormouse Apr 2016 #155

Hopefully not teaching writing will continue, as those that value it will be able to use it... tenderfoot Apr 2016 #162

Being able to write has nothing to do with cursive. kwassa Apr 2016 #164

In the district I work in I had whistler162 Apr 2016 #166

The writing isn't has bad as not being able to read it Prism Apr 2016 #169

My kids got a few weeks of instruction in cursive in, what, maybe third grade? Arugula Latte Apr 2016 #170

It's taught in Richmond, VA schools. My grandchild is learning it in 3rd grade. nt Nay Apr 2016 #176

No point HassleCat Apr 2016 #182

I believe it is helpful if all children learn cursive Digit Apr 2016 #184

I bought my grandsons wrist watches this year, not digital, they are going to learn to tell Jim Beard Apr 2016 #185

I honestly can't tell if this post is satire or not. WestCoastLib Apr 2016 #192

It is NOT satire. Jim Beard Apr 2016 #206

Re: a real watch. mahatmakanejeeves Apr 2016 #201

They don't teach butter churning or candle making either RB TexLa Apr 2016 #190

I was just thinking of the success US converting to the metric system Jim Beard Apr 2016 #191

I can think of two reasons why that didn't work here. kentauros Apr 2016 #211

I have not used Cursive since my Sophomore year of High School. dilby Apr 2016 #195

My kids learned cursive but still can't read it well ctaylors6 Apr 2016 #199

The cursive conundrum KateGladstone Apr 2016 #200

Might as well throw away all those heirloom pictures found in you great Jim Beard Apr 2016 #209

My oldest stepson, who just got accepted to medical school, can barely print Kaleva Apr 2016 #213

Write != cursive. X_Digger Apr 2016 #215

Kids learn how to type and use word processors, now, instead. Odin2005 Apr 2016 #218

I'm really evil. So Far From Heaven Apr 2016 #220

My 4th grade daughter in a MA public school is learning cursive. n/t hughee99 Apr 2016 #221

It's an unnecessary skill. Deadshot Apr 2016 #223

Since I can write in Gregg Shorthand, HockeyMom Apr 2016 #228

How Much Time Did It Take You To Learn Gregg Shorthand?.....nt global1 Apr 2016 #229

Many years ago this issue was trending in the national media. tblue37 Apr 2016 #230

Here's another advocate of teaching cursive writing. Uh-oh, maybe she's not the kind you want. mahatmakanejeeves May 2016 #232