Key Points

  1. Author Eric Athas interviewed Tom Hanks for his book 'Saying No to New' and received advice that changed how he approaches work.
  2. Hanks, an avid typewriter collector, argues that most new apps and devices add distraction rather than value, and that basic tools are often enough.
  3. The core lesson: before adopting a new tool, ask whether it will truly unlock your potential or just consume time and attention.

Tom Hanks on Typewriters, Tech, and Doing Quality Work

When author Eric Athas set out to write a book about the perils of chasing new things, he wanted a symbol for the opposite approach: the typewriter. Heavy, impractical, and completely offline, it stood in stark contrast to today's AI-powered gadgets. So he reached out to Tom Hanks, the actor and well-known typewriter collector, hoping for an interview. Three hours later, Hanks agreed.

In their conversation, Hanks made clear he is no Luddite. He uses a laptop, email, and a smartphone for work and keeping in touch. But he sees those basics as sufficient. "After that, man, what more do you need?" he said. New apps and devices, in his view, rarely improve life—they mostly demand time and attention through notifications and distractions. He even called out touchscreens in cars, complaining that simple actions now require multiple taps.

The advice that stuck with Athas came from a childhood memory Hanks shared. He recalled watching his father load a station wagon with tools for manual labor—tools that were a means to an end, used to create something. Hanks feels the same about his typewriters: they are writing devices that help him produce quality work. He sometimes travels with a typewriter instead of a laptop and returns with rough but promising pages. From this, Hanks posed a question: "What do you need in order to unlock that mysterious potential in there?"

Athas has applied that question ever since, especially while publishing his book. When a new writing or brainstorming tool catches his eye, he asks whether it will truly unlock his potential—or just distract him. Most of the time, he finds the simplest tools are the ones that work best.

The Real Cost of Tool Overload

The productivity-tool market is vast and growing, with countless apps promising to optimize how we work. But Hanks's perspective highlights a countertrend: tool fatigue. For many knowledge workers, the constant adoption of new software can fragment attention and create more overhead than output. Hanks's typewriter is an extreme example, but the principle applies broadly—tools should serve a clear purpose, not become the purpose themselves.

Why Simple Tools Can Outperform

Hanks's approach isn't about rejecting technology wholesale. He uses email and a smartphone. The distinction is between tools that enable core work and those that add complexity without clear benefit. A typewriter forces focus because it can't do anything else. Similarly, a plain text editor or a paper notebook can reduce decision fatigue and keep attention on the task. For professionals drowning in notifications, deliberately choosing fewer, simpler tools can be a productivity strategy in itself.

The Attention Economy's Hidden Tax

Every new app or device competes for attention. Notifications, updates, and the learning curve all carry a cost. Hanks's complaint about car touchscreens—needing three taps for a one-tap action—illustrates how added features can degrade the user experience. In knowledge work, the same dynamic plays out: a project management tool with too many features can slow a team down. The question Hanks poses—what do you need to unlock your potential?—is a filter that prioritizes function over novelty.

What This Means for Workers and Creators

Athas's experience as an author is a case in point. Writing and publishing involve many stages where new tools promise improvement. But adopting them indiscriminately can derail progress. By asking Hanks's question, Athas resists the pull of shiny new software and sticks with what works. This isn't a call to abandon innovation; it's a reminder that tools are means, not ends. For anyone feeling overwhelmed by options, the advice offers a simple decision rule: if a tool doesn't clearly help you create or achieve your goal, it's probably not worth the switch.

How to Choose Tools That Actually Help You Work

The next time a new app or gadget promises to transform your work, ask Hanks's question: Will this actually unlock my potential, or just add distraction?

  • Audit your current tools: list the apps and devices you use daily. For each, note whether it directly helps you produce quality work or mainly consumes time with notifications and updates.
  • Before adopting a new tool, define the specific problem it solves. If you can't articulate a clear gain—like saving an hour a week or reducing errors—skip it.
  • Try a "typewriter test": for a focused task like writing or planning, use the simplest tool available (a plain text editor, a notebook, or a dedicated device without internet). See if it improves your concentration.
  • Set boundaries with existing tech: turn off non-essential notifications, remove unused apps from your phone's home screen, and consider a dedicated writing device or app that blocks distractions.
  • Revisit your toolset quarterly. As projects change, so do needs. Drop tools that no longer serve a clear purpose and resist adding new ones without a compelling reason.