PHOTO SHOOT + ARTICLE
!!Just Sniff a Damn Rose!!
By L Del Nodal
Models
Michael Alvarez, Monika Jakubowski, Alexis Lu
Stylists
Michael Alvarez, Monika Jakubowski
Directors
Elijah Allen, Bebe Smith
Photographer
Jamal Lovieno
You finger through your collection of records, carefully examining the art on each sleeve before moving on to the next choice. After enjoying a few covers, you stop on Lou Reed’s Transformer. Lifting the sleeve from the rack, you carefully remove the record, being sure not to touch its grooves. You move away from the collection towards your record player to set the speed down to 33⅓ RPM. You place the record down onto the platter, so you may finally turn the player on and lower its needle down on the outer edge of the record. Technology used to require time and care in a way smartphones don’t. Playing a record is a very intentional process, especially when compared to streaming services and the plethora of music they offer. Technological advancements have made our lives more convenient; there is no longer the need to wear a Walkman on your waist or carry around a camera. This convenience has the secondary consequence of making us live our lives faster, and with this naturally comes the question: Are we moving too fast?
The smartphone has fundamentally changed the way we go about our daily tasks. Everyday items, such as watching the news, checking the weather, shopping, photography, and communication, have become centralized in one palm-sized device. While this may initially seem like a blessing, this device has made us less deliberate with our actions. How often have you gone on your phone to check the weather or read the news, only to end up on social media, scrolling through content that doesn’t benefit you in any way? How often do you truly internalize the content that social media feeds you? Moments of silence, of contemplation, are now hijacked by an endless stream of content, which often presents us with no true benefits. Instances of potential socialization, such as walking to class, getting coffee, or waiting for the bus, are instead filled with taps. Social media’s constant attempts to keep us glued to our screens often prevent us from interacting with the people nearest to us.
Rather than attempting to streamline every part of life, push yourself to simply enjoy it.
Furthermore, these advancements have negatively affected “third spaces”. A third space is meant to be a location separate from home or work. It is a third location where people can socialize, build community, and share ideas. The ability to shop online is undeniably amazing; we are exposed to many products that at one point may not have been accessible. However, this opportunity does not come without its consequences. Because we are not required to leave our homes to shop, it becomes easy to isolate ourselves. Consider the many locations that once had strong communities attached to them. Brick-and-mortar music stores, comic shops, and other hobby stores offer a unique experience, the chance to find others with similar interests. Not only did these spaces offer strong communities where socialization was encouraged, but they also asked us to be much more aware of what we engage with. What movie you would watch, album you’d listen to, or book you’d read was not an inactive experience; it was thought out, intentional, and often accompanied by conversation. By moving much of our shopping experience online, the impact of these communities has been greatly reduced.
While these impacts are the result of corporations fighting for our time, we as consumers are still in the position of power, as we do not rely on these technologies; instead, they rely on us utilizing them. This means minimizing these issues is much simpler than it may seem. You don’t need to drop streaming services entirely; albums and movies are expensive and not accessible to everyone. However, by becoming more deliberate about your actions, the issues presented can be easily overcome. Walk to class without music, enjoy the ambience, take the bus without checking your phone, enjoy these moments of silence, or speak to someone new. Take a moment to visit these hobby shops, even if you're not spending money. Just look around, talk to other customers or staff, and try to become a part of that community. Now more than ever, we as a people need to be more thoughtful with our actions, slow down our processes, and sniff the roses. Rather than attempting to streamline every part of life, push yourself to simply enjoy it.
