Where are the thinkers?
Recently came across this reel from Death to Stock, which as far as I can tell, is a company that provides stock photos, but elevated and based on trends and cultural research. The reel talks about how brands are now going all in on intellect being the new status symbol. Hence the coolness again of reading, in-person lectures, and other such things. It calls the trend Thought Daughter.
They also had an earlier reel about the return of snail mail, and another about the physical spaces where thought daughters exist or are welcomed. And I suppose all this is just affirmation of what many marketers and trend watchers are saying that a lot of people now, especially the young, are appreciating the analog and slow lifestyle. Or maybe that’s me projecting.
I love reading about this, tbh. I love this trend, although I don’t think it should stay a trend. Not reading, thinking, or listening to lectures. Not hanging out with people and having conversations with them, instead of yelling at strangers on social media. I would like all that to be the bare minimum.
And yes, I’ve often caught myself wishing I could be the sort of person who journals or writes snail mail, keeps a reading notebook. But I am not, at least, not in the analog sense. Instead, I have this blog. This little obscure corner of the internet that is pleasingly quiet. Do I sometimes wish for some interaction? Yes, but weighing that against the simplicity of just thinking and talking quietly with no massive pressure to perform (because if stats are accurate, I get a total of two readers, whoever you are), I think I’ll keep the quiet for now.
Anyway, I am reading an analog book right now: an ARC of PLANT LADY by Minyoung Kang, translated by Shanna Tan. I’m at page 9, but I’m enjoying it so far.