Modern media consumption has lost some of its charm.
By Abla Gorashi, Staff Reporter
I remember going to the library as a kid and checking out the first “High School Musical” movie on DVD. I couldn’t wait to get home to pop that disc into my player and watch, because I only had a few days before it had to be returned. Knowing that I only had limited time to really enjoy the movie made the experience that much more special.
Nowadays, checking out a movie involves nothing more than a few clicks on a remote control. Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have made hundreds of movies and shows readily available, but if you ask me, that once-special experience has lost a lot of its charm. As much as I enjoy binge-watching shows sometimes, I really miss how exciting it was to discover new movies and music while out and about.
Call it nostalgia, but I don’t think my generation realizes how much more fun it was to not have content at the tips of your fingers – literally. Like, remember when Disney Channel movies like “Halloweentown” were a major, must-see event? What about all those music videos that would play between commercials – do you know how many times I watched Vanessa Hudgens sing “Sneakersnight” or “Say OK”?
And how cool was it to sample a CD at the store? (Okay, that part was gross. Did anyone ever clean those headphones?)
Being able to pull up all this content quickly on YouTube, Spotify, or Disney+ is great, but part of the fun was the “struggle” of seeking something out. The movie industry, for example, is still struggling to attract audiences like it did before the pandemic, in part, I think, because there’s nothing special anymore about watching a movie away from home.
Sadly, I think the days of people lining up for hours to buy an album at the store or attend a movie premiere at the theater are long gone. Why wait around for that summer blockbuster when it’ll just be available (and cheaper) to watch online in a few months?
Even online shopping has become routine. I used to love flipping through the pages of a new Ikea catalog whenever it arrived in the mail, because the designs reminded me of my aunt’s house. Now, stuff just arrives on your doorstep without a second thought.
You can’t slow the speed of technology, which is why I think it’s important for people to be intentional about being in the moment. Yesterday it was DVD collections, today it’s TikToks and viral trends. I’m sure younger generations will look back fondly on these “good old days,” thinking the same things I am now. I just hope they’ll be as good at preserving those moments and milestones in ways that will continue to make them feel special for years to come.