Left on Read pt. 8
Left on Read pt. 8
wordless storytelling, consumerism, technology, social media, señora era
Left on Read is a weekly curation of articles, essays, and other media consumed throughout the week that I found thought-provoking, amusing, or just moved to share. Cheers to more reading!
“The most radical decision an artist makes is to not use words. When artists remove text, they invite readers to decode the pictures for themselves, so every child reads the book in their own unique way and according to their own personal life experiences and backgrounds… Stories told only through pictures have been present throughout our history, as evidenced by cave paintings, Greek and Roman pottery, and stained glass windows.”
I haven’t explored any of David Wiesner’s work before in detail, but I found this read intriguing. Picture books are not limited to children! They convey stories and emotions with visual language that can be understood universally. In a way picture books can offer a moment of respite and mindfulness in our fast-paced world. Is there a wordless storytelling/picture book club for adults? Because sign me up 🙋🏽♀️
The trend of decreasing product quality across various consumer goods is attributed to a combination of factors such as consumer expectations, mass production, and a deliberate move away from easy repairability.
Products intentionally designed to have a limited lifespan to increase repeat purchases…#capitalism. This article answers the question that many of us have been wondering lately: “Why are things made so cheap now?” and advocates for consumer awareness, promoting right-to-repair legislation, and encouraging a more mindful approach to purchasing + caring for products.
Couldn’t have said it better
! I found this newsletter to be such a refreshing and well-articulated reminder to appreciate the genuine intimate moments that we can’t always capture and to take a moment and reflect on some of those small, quiet moments.This isn’t to say that Instagram or other social media apps are not useful tools to memorialize moments. In many ways, sharing joyous and vulnerable moments online is a way to connect with others but it’s also important to remember contentment and connection can also be found beyond online platforms. No one's life is as picture-perfect as it might appear on social media.
The writer, Isabelle Brooks, recollects her experience of living without a smartphone for a decade (from 2010-2020), despite societal pressure; highlighting the advantages and the drawbacks.
I found Brooks experience to be a thought-provoking perspective on the evolving relationship between humans and technology. In an attempt to regain a sense of control over my own technology use, I decided to disable notifications for all social media apps on my phone (and most apps) early pandemic thinking it would help decrease my screen-time. It didn’t work in the way I thought it would. The constant buzzing decreased significantly, but my interaction patterns remained largely unchanged. Still, I can’t imagine ever going back to the constant buzzing and resonate with Brooks’ sentiment in that I find it difficult to opt-out without facing societal pressure to engage with ever-evolving technologies. In the end, it seems to be all about finding that delicate balance in our relationship with technology, a continuous journey of adaptation 🙃
“More than a trend, the “señora era” is a movement—a reminder that rest, and slowing down as a return to self, is crucial. And beyond that, it’s a reclamation of ancestral ways of living, a radical resistance to the colonizing mindset that positions our worth as conditional on our contributions to a neoliberal, capitalist society reliant on overworking underserved communities.”
We were sold the false notion that living a fast life is the ultimate flex. I love that this article brings attention to the connection between sleep and capitalism—something not many of us might think about. It also discusses the challenges faced by Latinx individuals in the U.S. who feel the pressure to acculturate and sacrifice aspects of their culture to fit into an "American" lifestyle.
Have you observed a cultural shift towards rest? How can communities support each other in prioritizing rest and self-care without sacrificing economic stability?
More of ‘Left on Read’
I’m still trying to figure out a format I love for this series so, apologies for the inconsistency. I appreciate all of you who have been enjoying this series <3
Let’s keep the conversation flowing
🙇🏽♀️ I’d love to read your thoughts on any of the articles and essays shared above. Feel free to share your recent reads or any compelling pieces that have lingered in your mind—it’s all welcome.
Thank you so much for reading! Agree with everything you said too 🤍🤍🤍