The model answers below are taken from a members-only video lesson.
Watch the full lesson:
Download the audio track and full transcript of the lesson here:
https://buymeacoffee.com/tracywang/extras
Speaker: Finn
What did you like to do with paper as a child?
I used to draw a lot, actually. I’d spend hours sketching superheroes, cars, and all sorts of random things. I also remember making paper aeroplanes and seeing whose paper aeroplane could fly the furthest. Nothing particularly creative, but I really enjoyed it.
Have you made any crafts with paper?
Yeah, quite a few, actually, especially when I was at school. I remember making origami animals and paper decorations for art projects. I’m not particularly good at it, though. I tend to get a bit impatient when something requires too much folding or precision.
How often do you use paper in your daily life?
Not as much as I used to, to be honest. I do occasionally use it to jot down shopping lists or make quick notes, but most of my daily tasks are done digitally. I suppose my smartphone has replaced paper in quite a few aspects of my life.
Do you carry paper and pens with you when you go out?
Not really. I used to carry a small notebook around, but these days I just use my phone to take notes or set reminders. That said, I always have a pen in my backpack because you never know when you might need one, especially when filling out forms.
Do you prefer writing on paper or typing on a computer? Why?
I’d say typing, especially when I’m writing something lengthy. It’s much quicker, and I can easily edit or rearrange things without having to rewrite the whole page. Having said that, I still prefer handwriting when I’m brainstorming ideas because I find it helps me think more clearly.
Do you still write physical letters?
Very rarely, if at all. I mean, pretty much everyone I know uses messaging apps these days, so there’s not much need to write letters by hand. Having said that, I’d quite like to write one to a close friend or family member someday. It feels a bit more personal than sending a text.
Do people still keep handwritten letters today?
To be honest, I’m not really sure. I don’t know anyone who actually keeps handwritten letters, at least not among my friends or family. Most people I’m close to communicate through text messages or social media, so I can’t really imagine them holding on to physical letters. I suppose some older people might still do that, but it’s not something I’ve come across personally.
Do you think people use paper less frequently nowadays than they did in the past?
Yeah, I’d say so. I mean, just thinking about my own life, I hardly use paper at all these days. I do almost everything on my phone or laptop, whether it’s taking notes, reading the news or keeping track of appointments. Even when I need to make a shopping list, I just put it on my phone. So, I imagine quite a lot of people are in the same boat.
Do you think paper will disappear completely in the future? Why or why not?
I don’t think so, personally. I mean, I can’t see myself giving up physical books or notebooks completely. There’s just something quite satisfying about flicking through the pages of a real book, and I find it easier to concentrate when I’m reading on paper rather than on a screen. So, even if I end up using less paper in the future, I think I’ll always have some use for it.
Speaker: Blondie
What did you like to do with paper as a child?
Oh, as a kid, I was totally obsessed with origami! My grandma taught me how to fold those classic paper cranes and little jumping frogs, and I’d spend hours surrounded by colorful square sheets. Beyond that, like most children, I did a ton of doodling and made homemade birthday cards for my friends and family—usually covered in far too much glitter and stick-figure drawings.
Have you made any crafts with paper?
Yeah, definitely! Apart from all the origami I did growing up, I actually got really into scrapbooking during high school. I used to collect Polaroids and ticket stubs, as well as magazine clippings, and put them together to create collage pages. More recently, I tried my hand at making paper flowers to decorate a friend’s birthday party. It took forever and tested my patience, but the end result was surprisingly pretty!
How often do you use paper in your daily life?
To be honest, not as often as I used to, but it still pops up daily. I keep a physical notepad on my desk for quick notes or my daily to-do list because I find ticking things off on paper super satisfying. But for major tasks like writing essays or planning, I rely almost entirely on my laptop or phone.
Do you carry paper and pens with you when you go out?
Rarely, if I’m being completely honest. Unless I know I’m going somewhere where I’ll need to fill out physical forms, I just rely on my phone. My Notes app is much more convenient when I’m out, and if I ever need to jot down a quick thought or a shopping list, I just use my phone.
Do you prefer writing on paper or typing on a computer? Why?
It really depends on what I’m doing. If I’m writing a long report or an email, typing on a laptop is a no-brainer because it’s so much faster, and I can edit on the fly. That said, if I’m brainstorming or journaling, I actually prefer pen and paper—there’s something about the tactile feeling of writing by hand that helps me think more creatively.
Do you still write physical letters?
Hardly ever nowadays. Communication is so instant these days, thanks to text messages, social media and emails. However, I do make an exception for special occasions like birthdays or holidays. I’ll write a handwritten card or a short note to close friends and family because it feels much more personal and thoughtful than just sending a quick text.
Do people still keep handwritten letters today?
I can’t speak for everyone, but I know I definitely do! I’ve actually got a little memory box in my wardrobe where I keep birthday cards, postcards and handwritten notes from friends. Every now and then, I’ll look through them, and it’s lovely because they bring back so many memories. I don’t think old text messages have quite the same sentimental value.
Do you think people use paper less frequently nowadays than they did in the past?
In my case, definitely. When I was at school, I used to carry around a planner, a diary and several notebooks, so I went through quite a lot of paper. These days, though, I do almost everything on my iPad or laptop, including taking notes and organising my schedule. I honestly can’t remember the last time I bought a notebook!
Do you think paper will disappear completely in the future? Why or why not?
I doubt it, actually. I mean, even though I do most things digitally, I still love buying physical copies of my favourite novels. I’ve got quite a few on my bookshelf, and I just enjoy holding a real book and turning the pages. I also think handwritten cards will always have a place, especially for birthdays and special occasions. So, I reckon we’ll use less paper in the future, but I can’t see it disappearing completely.
Leave a Reply