Interview: Author Susan Orlean on her life with the iPad

08.08.2010

Well, I don't really see it replacing that because I take notes with a pen and a pad and while there are pen and pad apps, I wouldn't want to carry around a fairly valuable piece of technology when I'm out in the field, so to speak. I rather have my notepad and pen and not have to think about the technology. I don't even like using a tape recorder because of not really liking the technology.

I think the typing takes some getting used to and is still a little complicated....If I'm sitting in bed and I kind of have it propped in my lap and I want to reply to email it's still slightly awkward to type. I try to thumb type holding it vertically and I can kind of do that, and then I think, no no no, I'm going to type like a normal typewriter, and I turn it horizontally, and put it down on the bed and type.

... I wouldn't imagine that I'd want to take it and type notes in a interview. And I've never liked to do that anyway. I think it's too weird to talk to someone and be looking at them and typing. I find it just really strange.

I think, you know, that's a good question. I do think I can walk away. I think that life demands enough of one's attention that I don't know whether having a kid is part of that, that there are just times when you're just not online. And it doesn't matter how glamorous a device you have, that's just not what's happening.