My half term has consisted of revising for my end of year exams, which begin on Monday, and binge watching '90s teen shows. It is the latter which has made me wonder what we're missing out on by living in this extraordinary Digital Age. I have no intention of being hypocritical, I love the Digital Age and live and work on it every day. But watching countless episodes of Dawson's Creek has made me a bit nostalgic for the times before themed instagram accounts and facebook stalking. Although I'm not a '90s kid', I grew up in the 2000s, which believe it or not, weren't that far behind, or ahead, depending on your perspective. My early childhood still consisted of cassette tapes, VHS videos and cartoons, and over the past week I've become nostalgic for those days. So I thought I'd compile a list of the stark contrasts between the '90s and today's digital age, from the perspective of my half term sofa experience.
1. My phone knows more about me than my friends and family
It records where I go, who I'm talking to, how likely I am to click on an ad, which blogs I read, what route I take to school and even my plans for the weekend. Like most people, I am utterly dependent on this metal brick - it is my window to the universe. It has come to the point where I feel unsafe if I leave the house without it. Another concern I have is a phone provides people with an easy escape in social situations. If you're at an event where you don't know anyone, it's so easy to sit in a corner and scroll through your twitter feed instead of being bold enough to go and talk to someone new. It gives us an easy way out of life's awkward situations instead of forcing us to confront them.
2. Listening to music on Spotify isn't that special
Spotify is wonderful, I know. But I stand by my favourite way of listening to music - vinyl. Despite its pretentious hipster connotations, I really love listening to records. It feels to me much more authentic, especially tracks that were recorded before my time. I just feel that I'm listening to them the way they are meant to be heard.
3. We don't have to leave the house for anything
Video stores have shut down, even DVDs are seen as old fashioned and we can get pretty much any food or item delivered to our door at a click of a mouse. Digital kid confession time: Excluding some weekend trips as a young child, I've never had to go to a library. Any research for school I can do on the internet and I can order books straight to my door from amazon. I also have to fess up being a sofa bear, working on my laptop and connecting with the world but sometimes feeling guilty that I'm not out there actually in it. Clearly it's a blessing in many ways, but I'm kind of sad the '90s pastime of going to rent a movie no longer exists.
4. Film photography
I love the artistic challenge of taking photos on film. I have a DSLR camera which I use regularly for my blog (the photos in this post were taken with it) which is beautiful, so I am overwhelmingly a digital photographer. But I also love the mystery of film. Whether it's a Boots disposable or my 35mm Diana mini, there is something special about shooting on film. And it's a lot more challenging too!
5. Have I got the balance right?
I currently spend hours looking at pretty pictures on instagram and tumblr. I wonder if I should spend some of those hours actually going out and taking some more myself.
I know there's a lot to be thankful for in terms of technology. I love being part of this Digital Age, and I'm an active participant in it. But a week immersed in '90s TV - as unrealistic and romantic as it made life seem - has made me wonder whether, despite all the advantages of living in this age of wonderful technology, have I been missing out on something?
-Lexi xo
(images via / via /
via )
