[Blog Post] MSI at last!

[Scarecrow]

Good point - why did he feel the need to write on the actual MS in the first place? I would think that at this time in history and for a man of his position, paper would have always been on hand. If you are right that he probably practiced on paper, then why write on the MS if it is just an attempt? I find it all very confusing.

I like simplicity. As Lisa often reminds us, we are humans not robots and so was Marci and we do things differently even that we are a creatures of habit.
I believe Marci, a man of great reputation and a great scientist, thought he wouldn't want to waste much he's time on this strange book (happens nowdays, too) so he just tried the first few simple things that came in mind, something like a simple substitution play. 

Think Marci browsing the VM while sitting in he's nice warm chair in he's calm study with nice fire in the fireplace. Browsing pages and getting a bit curious as a scientific mind usually does and at some point gets curious enough or starts to have an idea and decides to try something, reaches out for a pen and ink on the table next to the chair he starts scribbiling directly on the book as it is at that moment the most convenient place to do it, writing some substitutions to try. All in the quiet and calm of he's study. Try first page. Try another. No luck. Ok. Move on to the next thing.