The "major signal" is that you take your writing serious enough to invest in proper tools. Not a big deal in itself, but every subtle signal tells others that you are solid, and down to business. If you are worried about seeming too pretentious, if someone makes a comment about your pen, just casually mention that they are making a comeback, or something about it not being expensive. For example, some of the lower end Parker ones (Jotter, Frontier, Urban) are around the $20 mark.

Other things that send signals, include the way you dress (don't have to wear a tux everywhere you go, but wear clothes that fit, and have a sturdy look to them). Also it is helpful to work on your speaking skills, so that you speak with inflection and purpose. For example, listen to the difference between a radio host, and call in listeners.

Yes exactly this. Social signals matter.

To go a bit more meta, the question is, who are you? Who do you want to be? Who do you want people to perceive you as?

Using a fountain pen hits all the highlights to these questions.

Besides, it's just plain old COOL to be using a writing technology that is over 200 years old. The quality pens feel amazing, and encourage additional note taking for me.

Another advantage to paper notes: They arent searchable. Yup you heard me, NOT SEARCHABLE. Oh wait, you say, I want to search my notes... so I put everything in email. Then I get fired. And my boss owns my private notes. Oops.

It's definitely not "cool" to use a fountain pen.

"Because it makes me look cool" is not a good reason to switch pens.

I dunno, I recently bought a fountain pen and have been using it everywhere. It's just nicer and easier to write with. Short notes, long notes, journals, books, whatever.

Typing and writing long-hand produce different kinds of prose for me. I like to alternate. My typed prose is a bit jerkier, with a higher density of facts or points, while my long-hand prose has a more conversational flow.

And my hands start to ache if I use a ballpoint too long. Ever tried taking 5 hours of notes at a math conference with a crappy ballpoint? And live-texing is fine until you've got more pictures than text...

So that's another thing, a larger, heavier pen actually reduces hand pain.

Did you know that Neal Stephenson wrote Cryptonomicon mostly with a fountain pen? Seems to work well for some people.

That is exactly parent's point: a fountain pen makes sense for long-form constant writing, but not for short burst, sporadic note-taking.

No, that was just the first premise, the point was "you're better off typing it". They were implying that a fountain pen is a waste because it's only useful in situation you should be avoiding.

I think the parent you your post is a very valid criticism when paired with this sibling: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6407094

To be exact, he started with the Baroque Cycle (http://www.ericaustinlee.com/2008/10/neal-stephensons-writin...).

He did? So what.