i love buying physical books because nothing is gonna pop up and say "you need to subscribe to continue reading" as i turn the pages. everything feels like a monthly bill at the point and it's hard to escape. i miss when this wasn't the norm. also you made a good point about amazon!!!! people literally have limited all their gifts they give to people to whatever they find on amazon instead up getting creative and going out to look for things.
It's becoming way too overwhelming. I too miss when this wasn't the norm. I also dream of having a media room/library one day so physical media is an absolute yes for me.
Amazon and other conveniences have their place but gift giving (when done well) requires intention.
It’s truly getting out of hand! You need subscriptions to use a printer now. Can’t even access my Snapchat memories anymore and don’t get me started on the fact that you can have an Amazon subscription but still need to pay to watch movies on there. It’s fucked. As a society we’ve accepted too much.
Please don't get me started on Amazon Prime Video. This has truly reached insane levels. And I don't use Snapchat anymore. What did they do to the memories???
I’ve been thinking about this a lot and shifting to physical media. Wrote about recently, too. I think we (collectively) had a lot of faith in the cloud, that everything we wanted would be kept and our homes would be less cluttered. But they own it and not us. I’ve heard the same for newer cars and subscriptions for GPS or remote start. No ownership means being forever beholden to someone else.
Literally writing a piece about this very thing. The service as a subscription model has rampaged through so many different industries it’s insane.
I love that physical media (especially physical books, which is my preferred method for reading) are making a comeback. It shows what you’re actually interested in and intentional about.
I really wanted to watch the movie Joy for inspiration. But of course I needed to pay extra to rent or buy. Called my local library and had it on DVD (I mean Blu-ray) that day. These days my subscriptions are more intentional. And all the add ons make you stop and consider what is actually worthwhile.
I love that you did that! You’re 1000% correct about this. I truthfully have to check out the library more. I got spoiled when I lived in NYC bc my fav locations were in walking distance from my house. Now, I have to start from scratch-ish
this is so good,Mika and echoes a lot of thoughts I have on things around the same topic. I read 1984 for the first time late last yea and it was on point, but in it they talked about everything being a subscription and I was like damn, thats really us!
I've recently got ridden of my Alexa, grabbed a regular ol alarm clock, a wrist watch, got a walkman cd player which I later bedazzled and love, a cd player for the crib and it's been so healing for me. I have YT premium as well, but it's something about flipping through my cd binder and seeing what the vibe is gonna give.
Thank you so much, Kamil! It’s funny you brought up 1984 because I recently added it to my reading list for this year. It’s been looped into many things I’ve been reading and watching lately so I feel obligated to lol.
That’s so good that you’re finding things that work for you! I’m starting to realize that in this day and age we really just have to find the balance that works best for the lives we wish to live.
For example, I love my Alexa and it’s been the best way to get me up in the AM. And though I don’t have a lot of CDs I imagine I’d keep them in their original cases bc I love looking through the booklets while I listen.
I don’t think I could live a fully analog life but having the option to go slow when I need to feels optimal for my brain health.
and yes, finding our personal balance is the key because trying to follow someone else’s flow or doing away with it all will leave you twiddling your thumbs something serious.
also, i like that practice of looking through the booklets! i think im going to start being more intentional with that. thank you for the inspo and looking forward to reading more!
I won’t lie, i still do sometimes call out to Alexa to be met with only silence. deep sigh
Right! Me and some of my colleagues were just having this conversation. Listening to audiobooks just doesn’t register the way cracking open a physical book does.
I swear , I say that every time I click on something , like why is their not one platform with everything on it 🤣 I’m sick of signing up for things so I canceled everything 🤣🤣🤣 I’m over it. Bring cable back
this is a great read! I absolutely despise subscription culture, and try to keep as little as possible. and the ones I do have, I only buy yearly subscriptions. I, too, am leaning more into physical media, esp. cds and eventually I will get rid of music streaming as a whole. We need to be free 🫠
This! I too began buying yearly subscriptions. Even though they generally offer just a small discount (if we want to call it that), it makes me feel so much better not seeing monthly charges.
Have you picked up any good CDs lately? I'm starting to recognize how many come with cool extras. You really got your bang for your buck with CDs.
I just bought Through the Wall by Rochelle Jordan and untitled unmastered by Kendrick Lamar. Slowly but surely building! CDs also usually come with really nice artwork and posters and they’re fairly inexpensive so I agree!
These streaming services had me fed up with raising their prices or taking off my favorite shows and movies. Literally started buying DVDs again, and I go to my local library as well to borrow DVDs. Physical media is so important!
Love that for you! Library is next up on my list—I haven’t been since I moved to a new city. Physical media is important like you said and no one can convince me otherwise
If this post resonated with you, consider supporting my work by buying me a coffee (or a martini)? 🍸☕️
buymeacoffee.com/astoldbymika
i love buying physical books because nothing is gonna pop up and say "you need to subscribe to continue reading" as i turn the pages. everything feels like a monthly bill at the point and it's hard to escape. i miss when this wasn't the norm. also you made a good point about amazon!!!! people literally have limited all their gifts they give to people to whatever they find on amazon instead up getting creative and going out to look for things.
It's becoming way too overwhelming. I too miss when this wasn't the norm. I also dream of having a media room/library one day so physical media is an absolute yes for me.
Amazon and other conveniences have their place but gift giving (when done well) requires intention.
Thanks for reading!
It’s truly getting out of hand! You need subscriptions to use a printer now. Can’t even access my Snapchat memories anymore and don’t get me started on the fact that you can have an Amazon subscription but still need to pay to watch movies on there. It’s fucked. As a society we’ve accepted too much.
😂😂 I only kept it around because I couldn’t part with all the memories but now I will be downloading them and deleting the app ASAP
Please don't get me started on Amazon Prime Video. This has truly reached insane levels. And I don't use Snapchat anymore. What did they do to the memories???
Gurll where have you been. You need to pay monthly for storage for memories now or they’ll get deleted 🫠
Oh no they didn’t! Chile, I can’t even tell you the last time I opened Snapchat. I don’t think I even have the app installed.
I love the smell of a physical book. 🥹
Especially a textbook!
you know what, that brings back memories. I may have to buy a textbook just for the hell of it.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot and shifting to physical media. Wrote about recently, too. I think we (collectively) had a lot of faith in the cloud, that everything we wanted would be kept and our homes would be less cluttered. But they own it and not us. I’ve heard the same for newer cars and subscriptions for GPS or remote start. No ownership means being forever beholden to someone else.
I couldn't have said it any better. Everything comes at a cost I suppose. Did you write about this publically? If so, would love to read.
I did! It’s a personal story I published this month.
https://open.substack.com/pub/theflare/p/the-things-we-keep?r=nnkuq&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay
I have said this to my friends and have really made an effort to do better even when it comes to food, because the truth is convenience is killing us.
So true—slowly at that. It’s really dark when you think about it.
Literally writing a piece about this very thing. The service as a subscription model has rampaged through so many different industries it’s insane.
I love that physical media (especially physical books, which is my preferred method for reading) are making a comeback. It shows what you’re actually interested in and intentional about.
Yes! I'd love to read if you're posting it here.
And you're so right. I can do Audible every now and again but the physical books are the reads that stick with me.
Hey, just throwing you my post. Would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks either way. https://open.substack.com/pub/tyroneblackmon/p/enough-is-enough-the-subscription?r=1woja2&utm_medium=ios
I really wanted to watch the movie Joy for inspiration. But of course I needed to pay extra to rent or buy. Called my local library and had it on DVD (I mean Blu-ray) that day. These days my subscriptions are more intentional. And all the add ons make you stop and consider what is actually worthwhile.
I love that you did that! You’re 1000% correct about this. I truthfully have to check out the library more. I got spoiled when I lived in NYC bc my fav locations were in walking distance from my house. Now, I have to start from scratch-ish
It makes me realize that everything is buyable now even people
this is so good,Mika and echoes a lot of thoughts I have on things around the same topic. I read 1984 for the first time late last yea and it was on point, but in it they talked about everything being a subscription and I was like damn, thats really us!
I've recently got ridden of my Alexa, grabbed a regular ol alarm clock, a wrist watch, got a walkman cd player which I later bedazzled and love, a cd player for the crib and it's been so healing for me. I have YT premium as well, but it's something about flipping through my cd binder and seeing what the vibe is gonna give.
thank you for this!
Thank you so much, Kamil! It’s funny you brought up 1984 because I recently added it to my reading list for this year. It’s been looped into many things I’ve been reading and watching lately so I feel obligated to lol.
That’s so good that you’re finding things that work for you! I’m starting to realize that in this day and age we really just have to find the balance that works best for the lives we wish to live.
For example, I love my Alexa and it’s been the best way to get me up in the AM. And though I don’t have a lot of CDs I imagine I’d keep them in their original cases bc I love looking through the booklets while I listen.
I don’t think I could live a fully analog life but having the option to go slow when I need to feels optimal for my brain health.
Thanks for reading and for the thoughtful reply!
We have all the resources
listen read that book with care, but do enjoy!
and yes, finding our personal balance is the key because trying to follow someone else’s flow or doing away with it all will leave you twiddling your thumbs something serious.
also, i like that practice of looking through the booklets! i think im going to start being more intentional with that. thank you for the inspo and looking forward to reading more!
I won’t lie, i still do sometimes call out to Alexa to be met with only silence. deep sigh
I have an audible subscription for convenience but it feels like a cheat! There’s nothing like digesting content/media in more traditional mediums.
Right! Me and some of my colleagues were just having this conversation. Listening to audiobooks just doesn’t register the way cracking open a physical book does.
Chris Rock summed it up decades ago - every drug dealer knows the real money is on the comeback.
‼ Where/when did he say this? I’m curious to know the full context.
I think one of his late 90s or early 2000s specials, in the context of the medical industry investing in treatments rather than cures.
Oop. Not one lie told there.
I swear , I say that every time I click on something , like why is their not one platform with everything on it 🤣 I’m sick of signing up for things so I canceled everything 🤣🤣🤣 I’m over it. Bring cable back
Le sigh. It’s overwhelming yet so underwhelming at the same damn time.
Honestly & truly . Thank God for YouTube 🤣
this is a great read! I absolutely despise subscription culture, and try to keep as little as possible. and the ones I do have, I only buy yearly subscriptions. I, too, am leaning more into physical media, esp. cds and eventually I will get rid of music streaming as a whole. We need to be free 🫠
This! I too began buying yearly subscriptions. Even though they generally offer just a small discount (if we want to call it that), it makes me feel so much better not seeing monthly charges.
Have you picked up any good CDs lately? I'm starting to recognize how many come with cool extras. You really got your bang for your buck with CDs.
Thank you so much for reading!
I just bought Through the Wall by Rochelle Jordan and untitled unmastered by Kendrick Lamar. Slowly but surely building! CDs also usually come with really nice artwork and posters and they’re fairly inexpensive so I agree!
Great picks! And you're damn right about that. Currently debated hanging my TLC Fanmail poster/CD booklet
My kids
These streaming services had me fed up with raising their prices or taking off my favorite shows and movies. Literally started buying DVDs again, and I go to my local library as well to borrow DVDs. Physical media is so important!
Love that for you! Library is next up on my list—I haven’t been since I moved to a new city. Physical media is important like you said and no one can convince me otherwise