Calligraphy is wonderful in its own right, but its parallels with modern technology are interesting.

Unlike pure art, calligraphy serves a function (in this case, data storage and retrieval). Yet unlike raw data retrieval, calligraphy serves its function through beauty. Function and beauty combine to create value—the same can be said of a successful interface. Mediums have changed over millennia, but that fact has persisted.

Calligraphy was the ancient form of writing code: relatively few could read it, and precious few could write it well. For several millennia, "compression algorithms" exerted selective pressure that created new forms. Styles became popular if they increased writing speed and/or decreased page space usage. Later in the 19th century, with efficient methods of communication secured, visual beauty exerted greater selective pressure. When humanity feels truly secure with its new data storage methods (mass processing, warehouse energy efficiency, cataloguing, etc.) will we see a similar pattern emerge? I think that is possible.

I am not a professional calligrapher—these pieces are full of errors. But I love putting ink on a page, and I hope that this inspires you to pursue your own joys for their own sake. In the vast tech landscape we inhabit, just for a minute, enjoy looking at something different.