Along the lines of fossil records and paper trails, I've often thought about the future of "antiquing." I live in a city whose center used to be based on antique stores. It seems there is no longer much of a market, as generational changes have led to less of a focus on acquiring stuff (not a bad thing), and these antique stores are being replaced with noodle shops and craft breweries. And really, what of our current times would ever show up in an "antique" store in the future? Certainly none of my furniture. Certainly none of my cutlery. or jewelry. or you name it.
Then, there's the whole issue of map reading. Who can do it anymore? Why bother to learn? Where could you even get a paper road map? It's more than a little scary, I think.
I had the same paperless experience at the Seattle Aquarium. Only I paid closer to $50 for the ticket and it seemed ridiculous. The bonus was I just wandered around instead of looking at any maps.
You are in trilobite country. You can find them in TX and OK and I'm sure I have a few laying around from my TX days. Both of my parents were geologists and we went on regular fossil hunting trips. Check out Theissen Quarry if you head up north.
Wow, this post is chock-a-block full of stuff that's accomplished what my morning coffee could not... I'm all revved up! First, the paperless museum... how dumb. The thought of having to look at your phone instead of being able to hold a paper map is just sad. Then Tove Jansson, who I've been obsessing about since Mason Currey wrote about her this week in Subtle Maneuvers: https://masoncurrey.substack.com/p/tove-jansson-summer-routine. Then, yikes, clowning! My husband David and I went to clown school last November... I wrote about it here: https://balampman.substack.com/p/no-46-clown-school. It was... let's just say it wasn't what most people might think, as the post you linked to rightly suggests. My husband went on to do a more intense clowning workshop with a visiting teacher that was five nights a week for three weeks straight, and man they got into some deep waters. Not for the faint of heart.
This sound very much like all those personal development workshops I took in my 20s! I was terrified but also amazed by how much they impacted my life. Loved this!
If you are ever in Ohio, you should check out Toledo’s fossil park. It’s a former quarry where you can go and dig through one of the only Devonian shale deposits in the world. It’s completely free and you can find Trilobites, brachiopods, crinoids, and horn coral. Here is their website: https://www.olanderpark.com/olanderpark/fossil-park/
I love paper. I prefer to write longhand unless I’m writing something with real volume. I can type faster than I can write, and it feels like it’s easier for me to hit the zone, that sweet spot where the words are pouring out of you when I’m typing. But it’s not as enjoyable as having time with my thoughts, feeling a pen in my hand, hearing the tip of a Blackwing scritch scratching as I move it along some nice, toothy paper. The same thing with E Readers. I don’t mind them, but I prefer a physical copy of a book. I think a lot of it comes from me being in front of a computer all day for my boring desk job - “If I have to stare at a screen for one more second today...” I know that my iPhone has messed with my attention span. There probably is something to the idea of going paperless removing our paper trails. Something tangible like a book just feels so much more personal, so much more alive. Like the Oakland library that displays things found in books-there’s not really a way you can do that with E Readers or websites. Anything interesting that someone enters in there would most likely end up buried in the comments section. Not to knock E Readers-if someone is reading a book, physical or E, that’s good enough for me. But I do think we’ve lost a lot to the electronic world. Paper reminds me of being young and carefree with a book in front of me, content to enjoy the world of the story in front of me and not constantly thinking about all the negativity that I have instant access to on the super computer that now lives in my pocket.
You’ve made a connection between paper trails and the Oakland library exhibit that I missed! (the subconscious often works better than conscious effort)
I think about how things have become more convenient but less satisfying. It’s more convenient for me to have direct deposit and buy things online but it’s less satisfying to feel the money in my hands. It’s more convenient for me to search Apple Music but it’s less satisfying than going to the record store. Also, while we’re on music, highly recommend the new Black Thought/Danger Mouse album that came out today. There’s just something about the physical that is more satisfying!
That Rushmore video! I still prefer the original soundtrack though. :-)
I would hope so! 😂
Ha! By a long shot. Nothing would make this better. https://youtu.be/twIkfDx5yo8
"You are forgiven!!" https://austinkleon.com/2019/12/20/you-are-forgiven/
Along the lines of fossil records and paper trails, I've often thought about the future of "antiquing." I live in a city whose center used to be based on antique stores. It seems there is no longer much of a market, as generational changes have led to less of a focus on acquiring stuff (not a bad thing), and these antique stores are being replaced with noodle shops and craft breweries. And really, what of our current times would ever show up in an "antique" store in the future? Certainly none of my furniture. Certainly none of my cutlery. or jewelry. or you name it.
Then, there's the whole issue of map reading. Who can do it anymore? Why bother to learn? Where could you even get a paper road map? It's more than a little scary, I think.
Also, I love paper but I also love the Notes App.
Planning to read The Summer Book on a little desert getaway next weekend 😎
If you haven't read Fair Play yet, I highly recommend it! (And it's very short.)
Oh yes. You probably know we're big fans here: https://twitter.com/austinkleon/status/1404841309945446406
Every time people mention Fair Play I hear Van Morrison start singing “FAIR PLAYYYY TO YOUUUU” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1vYs5LBC3c
So many people seem to be enjoying Prey! It's getting me super curious to check it out!
I had the same paperless experience at the Seattle Aquarium. Only I paid closer to $50 for the ticket and it seemed ridiculous. The bonus was I just wandered around instead of looking at any maps.
You are in trilobite country. You can find them in TX and OK and I'm sure I have a few laying around from my TX days. Both of my parents were geologists and we went on regular fossil hunting trips. Check out Theissen Quarry if you head up north.
I like to read Tove Jansson summer book in the summer, and winter book in the winter. 🙂
First time I read this I thought you had them switched, which intrigued me! haha
Wow, this post is chock-a-block full of stuff that's accomplished what my morning coffee could not... I'm all revved up! First, the paperless museum... how dumb. The thought of having to look at your phone instead of being able to hold a paper map is just sad. Then Tove Jansson, who I've been obsessing about since Mason Currey wrote about her this week in Subtle Maneuvers: https://masoncurrey.substack.com/p/tove-jansson-summer-routine. Then, yikes, clowning! My husband David and I went to clown school last November... I wrote about it here: https://balampman.substack.com/p/no-46-clown-school. It was... let's just say it wasn't what most people might think, as the post you linked to rightly suggests. My husband went on to do a more intense clowning workshop with a visiting teacher that was five nights a week for three weeks straight, and man they got into some deep waters. Not for the faint of heart.
This sound very much like all those personal development workshops I took in my 20s! I was terrified but also amazed by how much they impacted my life. Loved this!
whoa! I look forward to reading about clown school! (a sentence I did not think I would ever type)
Ha ha! And something I did not think I would ever do! (though I'd long had the sinking feeling that it was coming for me...)
And the Oakland library that displays things left in books! Be still my heart!
If you are ever in Ohio, you should check out Toledo’s fossil park. It’s a former quarry where you can go and dig through one of the only Devonian shale deposits in the world. It’s completely free and you can find Trilobites, brachiopods, crinoids, and horn coral. Here is their website: https://www.olanderpark.com/olanderpark/fossil-park/
okay, this is absolutely top of my list next time we go up to visit family, thank you!!
I love paper. I prefer to write longhand unless I’m writing something with real volume. I can type faster than I can write, and it feels like it’s easier for me to hit the zone, that sweet spot where the words are pouring out of you when I’m typing. But it’s not as enjoyable as having time with my thoughts, feeling a pen in my hand, hearing the tip of a Blackwing scritch scratching as I move it along some nice, toothy paper. The same thing with E Readers. I don’t mind them, but I prefer a physical copy of a book. I think a lot of it comes from me being in front of a computer all day for my boring desk job - “If I have to stare at a screen for one more second today...” I know that my iPhone has messed with my attention span. There probably is something to the idea of going paperless removing our paper trails. Something tangible like a book just feels so much more personal, so much more alive. Like the Oakland library that displays things found in books-there’s not really a way you can do that with E Readers or websites. Anything interesting that someone enters in there would most likely end up buried in the comments section. Not to knock E Readers-if someone is reading a book, physical or E, that’s good enough for me. But I do think we’ve lost a lot to the electronic world. Paper reminds me of being young and carefree with a book in front of me, content to enjoy the world of the story in front of me and not constantly thinking about all the negativity that I have instant access to on the super computer that now lives in my pocket.
You’ve made a connection between paper trails and the Oakland library exhibit that I missed! (the subconscious often works better than conscious effort)
I think about how things have become more convenient but less satisfying. It’s more convenient for me to have direct deposit and buy things online but it’s less satisfying to feel the money in my hands. It’s more convenient for me to search Apple Music but it’s less satisfying than going to the record store. Also, while we’re on music, highly recommend the new Black Thought/Danger Mouse album that came out today. There’s just something about the physical that is more satisfying!
Check out this Vonnegut if you haven't about going to get a stamp and an envelope: https://twitter.com/austinkleon/status/858118516490330112?lang=en
Definitely imagine you’ve already read Annals of the Former World by John McPhee (his collection of geology books) but if not I recommend!
I don’t have any trilobite fossils, but here’s a trilobite song for you, made up by my lab partner in 8th grade earth science:
“A trilobite is big and bright
Deep in the heart of Texas.
A trilobite likes to fight
While he’s eating breakfast.”
It’s been stuck in my head for over 30 years, coming out whenever trilobites are mentioned.
Thankfully ear worms don’t transfer via text 😂