Category: Thoughts

For starters, digital media is going nowhere. It’s easily accessible, nearly instantaneous, and relatively cheap in comparison to physical versions of anything. It’s also easier to share and create content with digital media, making it an invaluable tool for marketing and other forms of communication. Additionally, digital media can be stored and accessed virtually anywhere, making it a great resource for both businesses and individuals.

However, despite the convenience and portability of digital media, there is still something to be said about the unique look and sound of analog. Vinyl records, for example, create a richer sound than compressed digital audio, and old film cameras create a distinct look that digital cameras simply cannot replicate.

In Japan (which, let’s face it, is so technologically sophisticated that you’re bound to see resurgences of old tech), cassette tapes are reaching a new level of popularity. For example, some tapes are being resold for upwards of $1000, making them more expensive than vinyl records. This renewed interest in cassettes is also inspiring a new generation of musicians to produce and distribute their work on the format.

This is partially due to the nostalgia factor, but also because of the unique sound quality that cassettes offer. Many music lovers appreciate the imperfections and warmth of the cassettes, and the physical nature of the medium. Additionally, cassettes are more affordable than vinyl, making them an excellent option for independent artists.

And as for vinyl album sales, records started seeing an uptick in purchases in the early 2000s. This trend has kept growing and today vinyl records are the fastest-growing segment of physical music. They are now the preferred format for many music fans who want to enjoy the highest audio fidelity and experience the artwork of the album.

In fact, in 2022, 43.46 million vinyl albums were sold, representing a 4.2% year-over-year increase and the largest year for vinyl album sales since 1991. 

Besides, they’re fun to listen to. This is in part due to the fact that vinyl records offer a tangible musical experience. The record must be placed, the needle must be positioned, and there is no repeating. You want to listen to it again, you move the needle. 

So that’s cassette tapes, and vinyl, and… VHS? Well, as a matter of fact, and, surprisingly, VHS has seen a resurgence in popularity. While the market for VHS tapes is still small, there has been a notable increase in people buying, selling, and collecting VHS tapes in the past few years. This renewed interest in VHS can be attributed to nostalgia, as well as the fact that VHS tapes often contain rare or hard-to-find movies and television shows. Collectors have also noted the unique aesthetic of VHS tapes, which are often seen as a more analog and physical way of experiencing media.

Recent trends on social media show increased use of early-aught digital cameras, highlighted by somewhat out-of-focus snaps; you can see them being carried at events by young adults and children who weren’t even alive when the cameras were produced. Which is part of the appeal. 

Were film purchasing and processing more accessible to this generation, the popularity of film cameras would likely move out of niche photographer and cinematographer circles. This could migrate film, again, into the mainstream. 

Books have maintained popularity owing to ease of entry (in the US, literacy rates are nearly 100%) and affordability. Records can be found for cheap in second-hand stores and at the library. They can also be checked out along with books from the library. And almost every city across the nation has a library. So you’d just need a record player.

While you’re at it, you could get one with a tape deck for less than $100. It’s amazing to think, as we moved into CDs and DVDs, onto streaming, and eReaders, and portable mp3 players, that the world would readily accept the older, more traditional analog forms of entertainment. And yet, here we are. Collecting, listening, and reading. Still seeing films in 35mm at the cinema – I’m actually going to the New Beverly this week, known for showing films in 35mm. 

And while analog entertainment may not be as modern as digital, it still has a special charm that resonates with people of all ages.

Taking action towards something that is frightening can be daunting. Fear is there for a reason. To protect us!

But it also holds us back. Taking those steps, and facing your fear, can be liberating. It can help us push past our boundaries and build our confidence. 

When we take action towards something that scares us, it helps us to overcome our fear and anxiety. We become more aware of our inner strength and it helps us to believe in ourselves more. 

We don’t always get to be our best selves

Sometimes we have to settle. Sometimes we should put others first. We do not live in a perfect world and there are times when we have to make compromises. We have obligations to ourselves, to our families, and to our communities, and sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good.

So, maybe we don’t necessarily get to be our best selves. Maybe we don’t get to shine, or display the entirety of what we have to offer.

But giving up a little of your glow to help others shine brighter – that’s really not so bad.

Every phrase has an intention. Every sentence has a message. Every story has a meaning.

What we do with words is create. From within ourselves comes a spark of creativity, and the words we use are the tools that shape our ideas and bring them to life. Our words have the power to influence and inspire, and to bring people together. 

I believe that an undervalued benefit of travel is developing a better relationship with yourself. In the process of visiting other places, and exploring, you are also getting closer to yourself. 

Maybe that should be the primary goal. You are your constant companion. Even with others, finding time to explore a bit on your own is fruitful.

It’s important to be comfortable in your own company and to know yourself. Traveling gives you a chance to do that, and to understand who you are and what you want. It helps to gain perspective and to be more mindful in all aspects of life.

There is a vast amount of information in this world. Through schooling, it is acquired in a systematic and formulaic manner. Textbooks, assignments, and readings are provided to you. There are coursework assignments, critical thinking exercises, and research projects.

You slowly and steadily accumulate knowledge. Yet, knowledge is not limited to what is taught in school. There are countless books, lectures, websites, and podcasts that can open your eyes to a world outside the classroom. Through self-learning, exploration, and experience, one can gain a much deeper understanding of any given topic.

It seems that we have tried so many times to create what we want. The perfect job, the perfect romance, the perfect life. But no matter how hard we try, it seems to be just beyond our grasp. We can go to the edge of madness searching for it, but the perfect thing is always just out of reach.

Perfection itself is fleeting and challenging to obtain. Even when we do get close, something is always missing. 

We’re told that we should learn to accept that life is imperfect and that it’s OK to be content with the good in our lives, instead of striving for the impossible. But there are those for whom this message is difficult to internalize. For them, striving for the impossible is a way of life, and it’s what gives them hope and drive. It’s hard for them to be content with the good, when they know there could be so much more.

Is there a limit to the ways in which we communicate, understand, and interact with one another? Technology has enabled us to communicate in ways never before imagined, and its impact on our lives and relationships is undeniable.

However, at its core, communication is a human experience, and the success of any interaction is ultimately determined by our ability to effectively connect with one another on a deeper level.

I’ve felt more in tune with my writing lately. I’m maybe only knocking out about 2,000 words a day, but given the slump I’d been in, 2,000 words seems fairly significant. 

I’m even going through old notes and ideas I’ve had, fleshing them out and clearing way for newer ones. This could be due to the fact that I’ve been writing more consistently, which has allowed me to develop a better rhythm and flow in my writing. Additionally, revisiting old ideas can help to give me a fresh perspective and new insights into the material.

Some don’t make the cut. Found one line that went “I’ve been thinking a lot about…” And that was it. What had I been thinking a lot about?

Who’s to say?

I’m just happy to be crossing them off.