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I read an interview yesterday that was right on par with how I have been feeling lately. Mac from Superchunk (I promise I listen to other bands) weighed in on his thoughts regarding music writers and Pitchfork, the behemoth of hip indie reviews:

“Like, there could be the greatest review of a band on Pitchfork,” he said. “And the next day: there’s five new reviews. And what I think that transmits is: ‘this is great’ and then the next day, ‘this is great’ and the next day, ‘no, wait: this thing’s great.’ Which projects this idea that you don’t really need to pay attention to for anything for too long, even if it’s great. Because there will be something else great tomorrow. How are people supposed to be invested in anything when that’s the attitude that’s put out there? Going back to our job of creating music fans: I think people become attached to things and invested in things when they can learn about it and focus on it. Go in a record store. Pick it up.. You’re making a real decision there. You don’t get that from looking at sh*t online.”

I think a lot of people in my age group are feeling the push and pull of this theory. Our lives were once filled with say, 5 great things per year (books, movies, music, a new skateboard, etc). Today, I check my email and I have 50 great things I have to see at my fingertips. Keeping up with all of this information is just too much. I wholeheartedly embrace technology advances and the conveniences that they offer. To completely contradict that, this same technology is slowly destroying a lot of things that I love.

For the first time in my life I am beginning to understand why my elders have rejected certain technologies. I don’t want to be blindsided by anything, but I don’t want to miss out on the one GREAT thing because I have been consumed by 50 mediocre so called “Great” things.

That being said…

I have been going through a purging process. A gradual integration into the movement of slow living. I hand wrote a letter yesterday. I have been reading books based on recommendations from a local book store. I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t listening to music I didn’t buy in a physical format. Taking time to visit with those who truly matter to me. Calling my mother more often. Trying to print out truly great photographs I have taken. Making art with paint, not on my computer.

Let the record show…I love my iphone. I love my iMac. I love new technologies. I don’t not love feeling exhausted by trying to consume everything that is out there each day. Things are slowly starting to feel special again and that my friends is truly GREAT.