A Modern-Day Luddite
Making social media so I can make clay art projects better.
“I’m old,” seemed to be the easiest answer when people ask me if I’m on Instagram. I relish the immense pity and embarrassed (for me) look in their eyes. Kind-hearted folks will give me a gentle pat on the hand and say, “that’s ok.” Similar to how you dote on a three-legged cat or a grown-up missing a tooth. Then desperate to escape the social awkwardness, they quickly change the subject. OR sometimes just walk away. In those particular instances, it’s pretty much a win-win for all parties involved.
Why I purposely been staying off Instagram and most social media was actually a deliberate decision. I am tech savvy and have been “making content” professionally for my day jobs, for quite some time. My resistance is more about safe guarding my time and thoughts. I don’t want to be influenced or limited by what I see, or what is fed to me. Simply put, I have an unhealthy amount of group-think phobia. Yes, I’m aware that makes me anti-social. I secretly prided myself on being a modern-day Luddite. Which I think is a misunderstood group. What’s wrong with valuing human-made goods and wanting a decent living for the makers?
I once read that…
… In this AI-age, being a graphic designer/writer/ illustrator/insert your favourite creative professional, is like being a candle maker shortly after the invention of electricity. Maybe that’s why I’m so drawn to making candle holders?
What happened to Ned Ludd?
The anti-social dam was breached last week. I realized that holding out on Instagram is futile. That ship had already long sailed when I started this blog! But, specifically, a lovely young artist I just met wanted to exchange contact information. I did the “I’m old” schtick then immediately regretted it. I truly want to connect and learn what she’s been making. And she sincerely wanted to know about the Mini Market show. We did figure it out with clumsy texting and What’s App exchanges. However, it was so unnecessarily laborious. Reminded me of the time my friends and I met these nice fellas on Randang Island in Malaysia. I almost drowned and one of the guys saved my life. They invited us to a party at the other end of the island but none of us had cellphones. Smartphones weren’t invented yet and the island barely had electricity. We agreed on a time and place to meet. Through out the day, one of them would walk over (it took almost 30 minutes each way!) to make sure we were still coming. Finally at the pre-arranged meet up time, someone walked over (again) to pick us up because there’s no google map or google translate. If Fit-bits existed, these guys’ step counts would be off the charts.
Long story short, I started an Instagram account. Just as I imagined, it took up lots of time and I’m sucked in to the endless scrolling. I started making content and hope people will like them. I’m even writing about it as we speak. …And what happened to Ned Ludd, the father of the Luddites? Nothing. There’s no concrete proof that he even existed. Most likely urban legend invented for the movement. A bit of a let down, I know. But, I still have a soft spot for the Luddites. How about you?