There has never been a more modern culturally significant moment to intentionally make your life less simple, and thus more rich than right now. Learning is a process of struggle, and we have had that strugggle squashed and subdued into commodity. That struggle is the lifeblood of purpose, and is not the property of companies who want to sell it back to you so you dont have to feel it. Never in my life did I think I could look at a string of html code, and actually know what it says, how it functions, and the syntax by which we create a webpage. Yet, here we are. This entire website was hand-crafted by me, and this journal entry added to the lines of code that form this personal online space. It was HARD. It was frustrating. Time is an illusion so struggle itself is the reflection of the myth that we are captured by the present moment to struggle. Yet in that process I am enriched, embodied and fulfilled. Much like sex is an intertwined, embodied moment of struggle that has the power to create extacy and life, art and the analog is our opportunity to return to that primeval passion, and form beautiful things.
The quality of the art is not the reason for having it. It is not even really yours to have. It is shaped by your hand and given to the world as a gift. To expect recompence or a return on the investment of art devalues why we make it in the first place. It is not unwarranted or unkind to; in our current system, need a return, whether socially or financially on the work we create. This is more to point out that metrics, simplified ways of scoring the human experience can be a corrupting force on the pursuit of art. So in this year of unlatching myself from packaged convenience, I've found my overall life experience elevated. My descisions are my own. My choices as to what music I keep close by me, where my thoughts and art get put, what every item in my bag is doing there is my choice . Through selection of the items around me, I've built a true relationship with my tools. My pen, my headphones, my bag are all a part of the analog journey of life. They understand their purpose, as do I, and I give them meaning through their use. Having one object that steals the life essence from all others to be "The Convenience Machine" is wretched.
Creating disconnection from social media also allows me to be unavailable. Getting to be selective about who recieves my energy and who's energy I am willing to take on leaves you with richer interpersonal experiences. There is far less anxiety when the need to always be open and "free" for the entire world is revoked. Your time is precious, and the people, objects, endevours and spaces you give it to even more so. So Be Selective. Every time you choose the undoubtly freer, yet harder path to creation, you are drinking from your own pool of fulfillment, not some sour, data-center poisoned river that costs you $10 a month.

To Be Written