In recent years, teachers and handwriting textbook companies have worked hard to find ways to make old-fashioned script seem relevant to students. The approach called "Handwriting Without Tears" encourages students to visualize -- and almost become -- cursive letters before committing them to paper. Some teachers and master penmen worry that the art of cursive as an expression of personal character is dying. "Now, people don't have the time to put that kind of time into penmanship. They want it to be legible, and we want it to be fast." Character is irrelevant. Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated. The clash of civilizations is really just a run-up to the final battle between the Arials and the Times New Romans. For some reason, the notion of "be the letter" reminds me of an SNL skit with Adam Sandler called the Herlihy boy, in which the viewer is implored to "let the boy be your dog." You might add "master penman" to the list of potential occupations for those (un)lucky enough to be "born rich." It sounds exciting, doesn't it? Much more compelling than the plebeian "master pencilman", to be sure. Giving Art of Cursive a New Slant | 
