What does it mean to experience something?

What are we missing?

Hello Phone Addicts!

If you don’t take a picture or post about something, did it really happen?

connection to world
constrained by phone’s signal and
better level

I’ve been thinking about memory, experience, and what role our phone plays in mediating both of those things.

My phone is filled with pictures I’ve taken to share with friends and family. My photo roll contains everything from funny signs and bumper stickers to cool birds and bugs. I also take pictures to use later in my art process.

My notes app is just as eclectic as my photo roll. I have scraps of poems, pieces of dialog, ideas for essays, and summaries of crazy things I’ve experienced.

I wonder what I’m missing by spending so much time looking at my phone recording my experiences. Am I cheating myself from enjoying the full depth of an experience? I can’t really be present and be taking notes for later.

What happens if I don’t snap a picture or take a note? Does that make an experience more ephemeral, with intriguing details lost to the vagaries of time and memory?

Am I really connecting with people when I send a funny picture or note about what I just saw, heard, etc.? Perhaps, I’m just trying to maintain or improve my status as a raconteur. Are the things I share about my connections or are they about me?

I try to find a balance between living life and making a record of my life. But I’m not sure what that balance should look like.

What about you? How do you balance living your life with sharing your life through your phone?

Cheers,

Jason

Books
Weirdo Poetry Shop

P.S.

At irregular intervals, I also post on TikTok. Lately, this video has been getting a little traction. I still have no idea what makes for good poetry content on TikTok, but I’m proud of this poetry comic.

@weirdopoetryNew poetry comic. Sometimes we need to sit with sadness before we can move on. #poetry #comics

Tiktok failed to load.

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