# A slightly more profound answer to "Why is a raven like a writing desk?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [October 21, 2013, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-slightly-more-profound-answer-to-why-is-a-raven-like-a-writing-desk/671878 "2013-10-21T22:52:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Had\_Matter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/43a26b/32.png) [@Had\_Matter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Had_Matter)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-slightly-more-profound-answer-to-why-is-a-raven-like-a-writing-desk/671878/1 "2013-10-21T22:52:51Z")
Mad Hatter: “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” An Sir: Because they both herald the presence of profound possibilities. On top of that, the notes for which they are noted are not noted for being musical notes but are rather flat. Profound Possibilities of Ravens for The Uninitiated: “Countless cultures point to the raven as a harbinger of powerful secrets. Moreover, the raven is a messenger too, so **its business is in both keeping and communicating deep mysteries.** ” > **[Raven Symbolism](http://www.whats-your-sign.com/raven-symbolism.html)** > > Raven Symbolism and Raven Meaning. The raven is all over the place in terms of cultural and historical perception. It's been considered a symbol of death, a lucky symbol and also a secret-keeper as well as a messenger of big news. Get objective... As for the profound possibilities of a writing desk… simply look at all of knowledge and advancements made by society over the last few hundred years… many of the conceptions which become inventions, widely held philosophies, & cultural standards were conceived upon the surface of a writing desk. This answer to the riddle was reckoned while reposed upon a writing desk. The writer, desk, and digital device, all clothed in revenesque wraps of various blacks.:smack: * * * LINK TO COLUMN: [Why is a raven like a writing desk? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1173/why-is-a-raven-like-a-writing-desk) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2013, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-slightly-more-profound-answer-to-why-is-a-raven-like-a-writing-desk/671878/2 "2013-10-21T23:11:46Z")
Answer overthunk. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2013, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-slightly-more-profound-answer-to-why-is-a-raven-like-a-writing-desk/671878/3 "2013-10-22T11:47:25Z")
Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, **Had Matter** , we’re glad you found us. For future ref: when you start a thread, it’s helpful to other readers to provide a link to the column in question. Our Archives are deep and plentiful, so the link saves searching time and helps keep us on the same page – we hope it prevents people duplicating answers already in the column, for instance. Anyhow, not a problem, I’ve edited a link to the bottom of your post, and you’ll know for next time. And, as I say, welcome! ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-slightly-more-profound-answer-to-why-is-a-raven-like-a-writing-desk/671878/4 "2013-10-23T22:32:27Z")
> [@Had\_Matter](#): > > This answer to the riddle was reckoned while reposed upon a writing desk. The writer, desk, and digital device, all clothed in revenesque wraps of various blacks.:smack: . . . and delivered to the SDMB Editorial Office by carrier raven. ---
**Author:** ![Satchmo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/satchmo/32/4223_2.png) [@Satchmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satchmo)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-slightly-more-profound-answer-to-why-is-a-raven-like-a-writing-desk/671878/5 "2013-10-24T00:00:42Z")
Nevermore … ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-slightly-more-profound-answer-to-why-is-a-raven-like-a-writing-desk/671878/6 "2013-10-24T01:36:25Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-slightly-more-profound-answer-to-why-is-a-raven-like-a-writing-desk/671878/7 "2013-10-24T17:56:59Z")
I still like the answer, “Poe wrote on both.” ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2013, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-slightly-more-profound-answer-to-why-is-a-raven-like-a-writing-desk/671878/8 "2013-10-24T18:36:10Z")
and “They both have inky quills.”