Get off that damn PHONE! #physicalmedia

We share mutual embarrassment and awareness of our screen time as technology is proving to shorten our attention spans and act as an enabler to an addictive substance.

Younger Gen Z and Gen Alpha only know of a world where communication and connection is at their fingertips. The dependency of technology may cause uncomfortability for some when disconnected. Society used to utilize the internet as an escape from reality and now the real world is being used as an escape from the internet.

I always felt that the movie “Wall-E” was ahead of its time, as a glimpse of their existence manifested in the current western world.

Growing up, my family and I had one desktop computer that was located in my parents bedroom. A computer that I loved playing Spongebob: Operation Krabby Patty, KidPix and on iCarly.com from Nickelodeon’s website.

But it was in a particular space and could never move from that space. The internet did not have as much information as it does now. Nor did it have as many visual horrors to be exposed to.

When traumatic media was consumed before the spike in social media use, people would hear it on the news. Even then media outlets could only broadcast so much without censoring.

Common social media discourse today shows that Gen Z wants to live in a way that was at a similar pace to their childhood. Rediscovering physical media such as vinyl, CDs and VHS tapes is Gen Z’s stepping stone to living a ‘simpler life’ despite the rapid advancement of technology surrounding them.

Vinyl records are sentimental to me as my now large collection passed down from my Uncle Dave, originally started with my brother gifting me “Axis: Bold as Love”, one of the best Jimi Hendrix albums, to begin my collection.

I love my freedom of Spotify (as I do pay for Premium) where I can hear anything at any time and skip through music I am not vibing with. That feeds into the fast life that removes you from the current moment, which I am trying to avoid to reset my nervous system.

Popping a CD into my car and listening to the album all the way through puts me back into the present moment and removes the need to be so interlinked to my device.

Exploring record shops for their 1970s classic rock, 80s new wave, 90s alternative or unique collection of underground DJs is an expensive hobby as the commercialization of nostalgia jacks up prices for physical media. However, I will forever own the media unlike paying for monthly subscription to streaming services where one day it could disappear.

There are other physical object based activities I try to participate in rather than an anxiety spiking doom-scroll. I try to disconnect from the constant fear mongering and misinformation that are so incredibly useless to absorb. Any type of craft is a cortisol lowering use of my time. I will admit there may be Youtube videos or podcasts playing in the background but I am distancing myself enough from the negative dopamine hits when scrolling on social media.

As a media company that ultimately needs to constantly research, investigate and keep up with what is happening in the world, it is sometimes hard to separate work and life.

I will end on the fact that social media has been very helpful in keeping more people up-to-date with world news but the dark side to connectedness has shown itself.

All I hope anyone takes from this is that living in such a fast world can make time fly by faster and slowing down to enjoy the present moment is a key to a healthier and longer life.

So break out your parents CD collection and make your grandma a water color portrait she can physically hold and display. You may feel more hopeful for the future and less anxious about the seeming decline in humanity.

XOXO,

☮️