Technology is and always has been a driving force for our society. From the invention of the wheel to the Industrial Revolution, we use technological advances to move forward and shape our world. The technological advances within our lifetime can be staggering when you think about it. We are more connected around the world than we ever have been. You can find out what's happening in any city, any country, at any time you want just by typing a phrase in a search engine. We carry a tiny computer, record player, movie screen, and so many other devices in one item in our pockets at all times. The ability to travel and see our world can be done in mere hours compared to the weeks and even months that it took a century ago. And while you are miles away, your loved ones and friends can keep in touch with just a couple of buttons.
But with any advances there this always a backlash. Despite this idea of connection there is also a sense of isolation. While as a society we have always searched out like minded individuals to associate with, the divides in our ideals tend to seem more extreme in their presentations. And the refusal to see the opposing side's argument is often a willful ignorance with the amount of information available at our fingertips. Social media has become such a prevalent force in people's lives that there seems to be a constant need for approval and to show proof that their lives are happy or interesting. The ever increasing presence of social media and technology in our lives also means a greater acceptance of the loss of privacy. And with any technological advance there are always those crying for a simpler time, like in one of my favorite movies Midnight in Paris. However unlike the movie which wants to go back to the Roaring Twenties for it's creativity and sense of discovery, today's stickers are looking for a simpler time out of a disgust for the culture they see. While there are a lot of stickers in this photograph, the two I'm really focusing in on are "Facebook is boring" and "Industry is a death culture" by IRL. I've seen these two all over the city and have always been intrigued by their messages. I am by no means anti-social media, I do believe it can serve an important purpose and probably spend far too much time on it myself. But I do generally feel a bit of a disconnect from it all. And clearly the person who created these stickers believes our society needs to take a step away from our screens. I did manage to find an interview with IRL where they explain their reasoning behind the many pieces of graffiti they spread. I could try to relate his/her thoughts here but I think it would be far better to read it for yourself. I'm a little disappointed I can't tell where the individual is originally from, but even if they aren't local their graffiti is rather prevalent around the area. And no matter where you stand on the issue of social media or technology in our culture, these stickers are great thought provoking pieces.
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Maggie Ondrey
An amateur photographer and writer capturing a small portion of the city. Archives
August 2017
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