Thoreau on the weblog.

Thoreau on telegraphs: ‘They are but improved means to an unimproved end.’—I like to think he wrote this on a telegraph (to no one.) He knew, without knowing it, that ‘unimproved’ means there’s no improving to be done:—the End is ultimate organic shared/recorded memory—Death and Eternity. If you like, Communication by Momentary Immediacy. The hand of God is on me; this was first written with a pen. ‘I swear by the pen and what the angels write, by the Grace of my Lord I am not mad.’