A magic writing pad is a device that allows for the temporary and erasable writing or drawing of information. It consists of a screen covered in a thin, flexible material that can be written on using a stylus or even just a finger. The unique feature of the magic writing pad is that the information written on the pad can be easily erased by applying pressure to the surface. This makes it a convenient tool for taking quick notes, making to-do lists, or doodling without the need for paper and pencil. The magic writing pad operates using a phenomenon called pressure-sensitive or pressure-based technology. When pressure is applied to the pad while writing, small, conductive particles within the writing surface come in contact with underlying electrodes.
When pressure is applied to the pad while writing, small, conductive particles within the writing surface come in contact with underlying electrodes. This causes a change in electrical resistance, which is then detected by the device and interpreted as the written information. When pressure is released or actively applied to erase, the electrical resistance returns to its original state, resulting in the disappearance of the written content.
The Mystic Writing Pad
In attempting to theorize the specific impact of hypertext technology on our understanding of writing, we might usefully recall Freud's brief essay, "A Note Upon the 'Mystic Writing-Pad'" (1925). Mystic writing pads are children's toys consisting of a thin sheet of clear plastic which covers a thick waxen board. The user can write on it with any pointed instrument, even a fingernail. The tip of the stylus presses through the sheet of plastic and makes a faint indentation in the wax below which appears as a dark trace through the plastic. When the plastic sheet is lifted away from the surface of the waxen tablet beneath, the dark traces disappear; the pad is clean again, like a blackboard just wiped off. This is its "mystic" or magical quality.
For Freud, all means of mechanically supplementing the memory suffered from one of two drawbacks. Permanent means of recording, like paper, can only be written on once--they quickly become filled and need to be further supplemented. The alternative (eg: a chalk board) is infinitely receptive, but only if one erases the previous inscriptions. The Mystic Writing Pad, however, represented an admittedly imperfect but illuminating example of how the psyche itself records material. Like the chalk board, it can record an infinite amount of material while always remaining "new." But, like the piece of paper, this material leaves a faint, but perceptible trace on the waxen surface below, a trace which can be seen if one were to lift up the sheet of plastic and examine the wax surface. This, for Freud, is analogous to the way the psychic system which received sense impression from the outside world remains unmarked by those impressions which pass through it to a deeper layer where they are recorded as unconscious memory. Thus, "the appearance and disappearance of the writing" is similar to "the flickering-up and passing-away of consciousness in the process of perception" ( SE XIX:230).
Freud's somewhat off-hand analogy of the way which the perceptive conscious passes experience through to the unconscious to a child's toy has had a curious career. In "Freud and the Scene of Writing," Derrida notes the father of psycho-analysis's dependence on metaphors of writing to describe psychological processes and concludes that this is no metaphor, that perception really is a kind of writing machine like the Mystic Writing Pad. Derrida in particular notes the fact that the marks on the pad are not visible due to the stylus leaving a deposit on the sheet of plastic (in the manner of a pen, ink and paper). The marks only become visible because of the contact the wax has on the reverse side of the sheet of plastic. This is also the case in perception. None of us, Derrida claims, apprehend the world directly, but only retrospectively; our sense of that which is beyond ourselves is the product of previous memories, previous writings. "Writing," says Derrida, "supplements perception before perception even appears to itself" ( Writing and Difference 224).
The Mystic Writing Pad, then, is a model of the primacy of writing, of the way in which we can only ever experience the world, as it were, after the fact, that is, through the traces of previous experiences and through the signifiers which are in effect the condition of being.
Hypertext might be described as a hyper-Mystic Writing Pad; it is both infinitely receptive to new experience and capable of potentially infinite (at least to the limit of the computer's memory) retention. Its "magic" arises from its ability to reactivate any trace unaltered from when it was first recorded. More particularly, hypertext allows writing to become a physical force which, like that which enters the unconscious through perception, creates paths and webs which determine the structure of all subsequent experiences. Here words have presence only in so much as they are (literally) illumined from behind, just as we attain identity only retroactively, through a kind of perpetual process of catching up to ourselves.
Thus experience in hypertext must always reproduce the very act of writing itself; as a physical act which leaves, in the form of new links, anchors and nodes, the indelible traces of our passing. In reading a hypertext, our sense of immediacy, of a text "unfolding" before our eyes for "the first time," is underscored by the presence of other readings and other authors, other versions of ourselves that throw into question the very concept of being as a unified, coherent and stable whole existing in the plenitude of the present. In hypertext, consciousness is displaced from the act of apprehension, from the act of reading, to experience of having been written .
© 1993-2000 Christopher Keep, Tim McLaughlin, Robin Parmar.
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One of the main advantages of a magic writing pad is its portability. It is lightweight, thin, and can easily fit into a bag or pocket, making it ideal for taking on the go. It can also be used in various environments, such as classrooms, offices, or even at home. Additionally, the magic writing pad promotes eco-friendliness by reducing paper waste. Since the writing is only temporary and can be easily erased, there is no need for constantly using and discarding sheets of paper. This not only saves trees but also reduces the clutter of physical notes and drawings. The magic writing pad has found popularity among students, professionals, and individuals who enjoy doodling or sketching. Its simplicity and ease of use make it an attractive alternative to traditional paper and pencil. Moreover, the ability to save and share digital versions of the written content through apps or cloud storage adds to its functionality. In conclusion, the magic writing pad is a portable and eco-friendly device that provides a convenient and temporary means of writing and drawing. It utilizes pressure-sensitive technology to allow for easy erasing and promotes a paperless approach to note-taking and creativity. Overall, it is a versatile tool that has become increasingly popular in various settings..
Reviews for "Unlocking the Secrets of a Magic Writing Pad"
1. Emily - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with the Magic writing pad. It simply did not live up to the hype. The writing surface was too slippery, making it difficult to control the pen and write properly. Moreover, the lines never erased completely, leaving behind faint marks that made it difficult to start a new page. Overall, I found the quality of the product to be subpar and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Jonathan - 2 stars
I purchased the Magic writing pad with high hopes, but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. The pen that came with it was poorly designed and uncomfortable to hold, which made writing for an extended period uncomfortable. Additionally, the erasing mechanism was not efficient, often requiring multiple attempts to erase the content. The concept is intriguing, but the execution fell short, and I ended up returning the product.
3. Samantha - 2 stars
As someone who enjoys doodling and taking notes, I was excited to try the Magic writing pad. However, after using it for a while, I found that it didn't offer the smoothest writing experience. The pen would often skip and leave gaps in my handwriting, making it frustrating to create neat and coherent notes. The erasing function also didn't work as well as I had hoped, with some of the ink never fully disappearing. I believe there are better alternatives available on the market.
4. Michael - 1 star
I had high expectations for the Magic writing pad, but it turned out to be a disappointment. The pen provided with the pad felt cheap and flimsy, and the writing surface was rough and scratchy, making it uncomfortable to write on. Additionally, the erasing function left behind faint lines, making it difficult to start fresh on a new page. I would advise potential buyers to explore other options before considering this product.