#Connectedly Disconnected

  Memorial Day 2013 is ¾ over with and I haven’t spent a lot of time reflecting on the hero’s that have sacrificed their lives, limbs and sanity to build civilization to the point it is today. I’ve been spending a considerable amount of time reflecting on my life, Vampire Weekend, The National, Foxygen, Instagram and journalism instead.

To back up and begin at the beginning of the day, I was primarily focused on the holiday, where I didn’t have to work or be at any particular place or attend any meeting at a particular time. My neighbors threw a party last night, on a Sunday, and as I stayed up watching the new Arrested Development, drinking beers on the porch, and enjoying the warm spring air, no wars actual wars entered my mind.

The morning came slowly, lethargic and calm. Making coffee and toast with no news of the Memorial parade or bugles and procession amplified to my door to give notice. The quail guarding her eggs kept diligent watch, never leaving the nest all day observed or otherwise. Everyone seemed in good cheer from the roller blading teenagers to the dog walkers, it was better than the typical hurried Saturday errands and sport outings. Time slowed down with the realization that there were no time clocks to punch and no supervisors to avoid everyone in my neighborhood seemed oddly content for a day.

This observation comes from a 100 foot perimeter around my today and without actually driving or walking out of my neighborhood I can ignorantly classify all Americans the same light hearted attitude. However, I was busy working on a group art project, designing beer koozies, writing press releases and planning my hectic Tuesday morning that is sure to come in a few brief hours. I was also thinking if every Monday were as easy going and relaxing as today, we as Americans would be more grateful and productive the rest of the week. We don’t have the luxury to suspend our work, vacation or school schedule because we honestly have no control over our lives. Nether can we forfeit our children’s soccer practice, rush hour or business lunches the same we mow water and toil in our yards. We are perpetually planning our next day and when by chance a holiday arrives unnoticed we finally slow down for a twelve-hour stretch to give a cold beer to the neighbor and extend pleasantries with one another. Listening to new music in my studio, turned up a few decibels so I could hear it in the yard while walking around my land with the peace-offered beer, I came to the realization how good the new Vampire Weekend is without knowing it’s #1 on the charts, because I have already been listening to it for the last two weeks. Same with the new National album, Trouble Will Find Me, which in my opinion is one f their best, after listening to the last four this weekend while road tripping to southern Utah. I was also given the suggestions to listen to the new Foxygen in addition to Songs: Ohia’s Hecla & Griper from a good review on Spin. Which brings up the thesis title, connectedly disconnected, and as far as I know, I just coined it.

I can follow Cat Power on Instagram, find out what athlete Transworld Snowboarding Magazine is promoting in the next post and than switch over to Twitter and find out what story AP is writing about for Memorial Weekend, which means I don’t actively have to participate. I can listen to the music I stole off the Internet and decide for myself if it’s good without waiting for an indiscernible, self-appointed music critic describing his opinions on an album they had no creative collaboration with. Opinions are generally a good way to group ones tastes into a general category and find similar interests, but with so many connections constantly updated it’s hard to determine the originally conceived thought or a sprouting from a twitter, blog or status post.

I like the music I hear, because I’m the decider. I also understand I have the capacity to support any commercial product financially at the push of a button. I can buy music to support the artists I’m stealing from. I can also buy fonts for art projects from designers in addition to purchasing clothes, batteries, groceries, cars, beds, condoms, cameras, pictures, puppies, orphanages, books, politicians, islands, homes, horses and cars at the click of a button. I can ‘like’ a photo from a friend in Spain or steal CS6 from Adobe. I can choose to access all this information with my moral compass wavering between the former and the later at a click of a mouse.

Following celebrities and athletes on Instagram gives the illusion of involvement with community and a new way to be a voyeur that the 20th century fan never had. The internet has still not found out a way to turn all those ‘likes’ into actual dollars, but they are had pressed to do so. Stealing music or software gives the customer a chance to try out a product or album and know before hand if it’s worth their hard-earned dollars to purchase.  The Internet is taking the guessing game out of consumerism. I can research a car to purchase or sale, I can stream music and movies without reading reviews to obtain my own, slightly biased, opinion to see if I actually like it before forking over $10 at a movie theatre. Maybe I’ll buy the album later or see the band if they come to town in which the band still ends up with my hard earned bones, but unlike a decade ago, I know what I’m buying.

Products need to be tested before purchase. Bands should try to make an album worth purchasing, instead of 9-10 songs that fill up 38 minutes of ones life for the sole purpose of sales. Software designers need to offer free upgrades and limited access to software with out the restrictions that the full purchase awards. Advertisers need to realize that for every ad campaign launched there is a mute button and Angry Birds to distract during primetime viewing.

Shows are canceled due to poor ratings on these time slots that are not dedicated to re-runs or reality shows. Careers are made and destroyed depending on weekend sales at Walmart or rush hour commutes in New York and California.