whatwouldmeghanmarkledo

[whatwouldmeghanmarkledo]

Beyond iCelebrities: FINAL PROJECT - Digital Detox Journal

Introduction:

This collection of journal entries is recounted from memory. For my digital detox, I chose to dedicate at least an hour if not more every day for a week to leave my phone and laptop in a drawer and fill my time with other activities. During the pandemic, I developed an addictive relationship with my phone primarily but with my laptop as well. It was not always this way. For most of my life, I have been away from screens. My parents lead very holistic lives and media access was something they curated very carefully. Down to the mediums of music, we were exposed to. I only listened to live symphonies, live music, and occasionally music on cassettes or CDs. I had no idea what a celebrity was, or what TV was. It was all just art, no pop culture. 

I attended a Waldorf school for five years, which follows that same practice so many of my school peers did not know these things either. I was seven years old when I finally saw a screen light up and play a video. This delayed exposure definitely impacted and developed my creativity. I played classical violin and trained in classical ballet. I have always been very artistic. I attended a conservatory style high school for dance and I have always integrated art into my everyday life. I did not get a smart phone until I was about 17 years old, but with so much time spent away from phones, I never had the urge to spend hours on my phone, I only really used it for phone calls and texts. 

Within the last two years, I have found myself mindlessly scrolling, clicking, and watching either of my screens for hours on end. It has gotten really bad that I will find myself scrolling at 1 am, and then telling myself just 15 more minutes. Next thing I know it's 2 am. This cycle continues some nights until 3 or 4 am. I desperately need a change.

I cataloged each daily detox by making a corresponding map by memory and marking my trail with string. Each map is not the most geographically accurate, as it comes from my head and how I visualize the streets, but it does demonstrate my detox time in the most accurate way as I experienced it. 

April 21, 2022

I began my walk today anxious to be away from my phone and laptop. With final projects beginning, I just want to be working at all times but I do find myself getting distracted by my phone. I started by walking from my apartment into the East Village. During my sophomore year of university, I got my first apartment in New York in the heart of the East Village. It was the apartment I had to leave behind when the pandemic began. All of my pre-pandemic memories are in this neighborhood and it is very nostalgic for me. I rarely walk through the East Village anymore so I decided to walk towards a park I used to spend a lot of time at before the pandemic, Tompkins Square Park. Without my phone, I found myself noticing the new businesses that have opened since the pandemic started and the ones that have sadly closed. 

Typically, when I am walking to school I like to call my mother or father, so not having my phone and a voice to listen to while walking, I found myself listening to the sounds of the neighborhood. I heard a woman on the phone softly speaking in Spanish to her daughter on 3rd street, I heard the flapping of pigeon wings in the awning above a grocery store I passed on Avenue B, and I heard my own thoughts in my head. As I approached Tompkins Square Park, I remembered that I had previously walked past a branch of the New York Public Library. I considered this digital detox I would be exploring for my final project and thought, what a perfect activity to fill my time! I have never been a reader, in fact I have only ever finished a book on my own for leisure. With no time like the present, I set a goal then and there in Tompkins Square Park to challenge myself to finish at least one book during this digital detox. I walked in through the wooden double doors and walked up the stairs. As I approached the desk, a woman with kind eyes and eccentric jewelry smiled at me. 

“Hello, I would like to get a library card.”

“Absolutely, may I have your New York ID?”

I slid over my ID and watched her red polished fingers type in my information. She had me provide a few more pieces of information and just like that she slid back a shiny red library card. I recalled my friend Nasha (who is really into reading) telling me about this book she loved but was embarrassed because it is a young adult book. Racking my brain for the title, I went and sat down at the computer to see if they had it. I typed in the the words, “A Good Girls Guide…” and there it was, A Good Girls Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. A few clicks on the humming computer and a quick stroll down the long shelves of neatly wrapped books, I found it. I checked it out with the librarian, her bracelets clicked together as she handed me my new challenge. Pleased with my choices, I continued by walking down into SoHo. I was a little hungry and craving my favorite slice of Prince Street Pizza. I waited in line, holding my new book as the cellophane wrap stuck to my sweaty palms. The smell of cheese filled the air. I ordered my usual, one slice of vodka pizza and a diet coke and stepped onto the street feeling the anxious cloud I started my walk with, blow away. 

I walked down the block to Elizabeth Street Garden, to enjoy my pizza and start my new book. As I found a comfortable bench amongst the greenery and set my book down as I took the first bite of piping hot pizza. Eating outside is definitely something I have loved from the pandemic. Being able to enjoy food with all your senses is such an experience. I heard the leaves from the various types of trees shifting with the breeze, and the soft voices of the other garden visitors. A few other visitors were reading as well, prompting me to start my new activity. As I finished my pizza, I opened my new book, and began reading. 

April 22, 2022

In honor of Earth Day, I decided to go see one of my favorite seasonal happenings, the cherry blossom blooms! I left my screens at home and took a train up to Columbus Circle and began my walk. I was feeling a little naked without my phone since I am a little paranoid about emergencies but I tried to look forward to the cherry blossoms. As I walked up Central Park West, I remember seeing all the tourists funneling in and out of Central Park. It is so nice to have this expansive green space in the city. I love being uptown and seeing the architecture of the older buildings. It was so nice to appreciate the details without the distraction of my phone. I did feel the habit of wanting to call my mom. But I kept walking and listening. I heard the doormen of a few of the buildings saying hello or goodbye to their residents, and I heard a lot of different languages from the tourists walking up the same street. As I reached W 72nd street, I crossed the busy street into the park. I wanted to walk a bit before settling down to read by the cherry blossoms, so I took the footpath around the lake. As I walked down the path, I remember breathing in so deeply and feeling so energized by the fresh air. 

The park is so surreal to me, it looks so picturesque from every angle. The juxtaposition of the high rises and the tree line is comforting to me as a born and raised city kid. While I love nature, I love being in a city more, so it's nice to know my happy place lies just beyond the trees. I remember seeing the bubble man as I call him in my head. Blowing enormous bubbles into the open air with his string contraption. This particular bubble artist creates bubbles to the sounds of classical music which is so captivating to me. I watched the bubbles dance through the air to the tune of Chopin. I rounded the bend of the lake where I could see couples and families on row boats. One couple I saw had a girl with a terrified look in her eyes as she gripped the sides of the boat and her boyfriend playfully rocked them back and forth laughing hysterically at her panicked expression. 

I walked up towards the Loeb Boathouse where there were people dining and sipping cocktails as they looked out onto the lake. I worked my way into the foliage and the voices of the boathouse patrons disappeared into the air behind me. As I walked the dirt path, the openings of the trees narrowed and the sky above soon became the fresh green leaves indicating spring. Peaks of the tall glass buildings became fewer and fewer as the trees grew thicker down the path. This path was so peaceful, I passed by one or two people but it was nice to have a moment alone in the silence of the leaves. As I continued walking, voices picked up again; laughter and chatter in different languages. I could see the famous Bow Bridge ahead. Such a picturesque sight. The bridge was lined with oversized flower pots spilling over gracefully. People were posing for photos with the skyline in the background. The lake below with rowboats flowing peacefully underneath the bridge. As I crossed over the bridge I could see the grove of cherry blossom trees ahead. I walked a bit more past the Cherry Hill fountain and saw the horse drawn carriages making their roundabouts.  A few horses were taking breaks while others were trotting off into the park. 

I walked a bit further down the cement walkway until I saw the light pink petals on the ground. I looked up and the bloom was just as incredible as I had hoped. Delicate pink petals were floating through the air and onto the green grass. I found a smooth rock to sit on and enjoy the scenery. After about 30 minutes of people and petal watching, I decided to dive into my book. It's a mystery novel, a genre of media I have always loved. I finished the first 40 pages the first day which is unheard of for me. That accomplishment made me excited to keep going.. I spent the rest of the afternoon, brushing soft petals off of my pages until the sun began to set. 

April 23, 2022

Today I was feeling like a change of scenery. I chose to utilize one of my favorite modes of transportation, Citi Bikes. There are so many Citi Bike docks around Manhattan, I used to use them during the first pandemic summer when many people were avoiding the trains. After completing some school work in the morning, I figured rather than just making my usual 2 pm coffee at home, I would venture elsewhere. I took my boyfriend Ben along with me. We walked outside and grabbed  Citi Bikes from the dock across the street from my apartment. Now we did have to bring our phones with us to unlock the bikes but we brought a zip-up bag and put them on ‘do not disturb.’ Ben is well aware of my digital detox and agreed to participate on this day which was very nice to do this with someone else. 

We began our ride through the Lower East Side, zipping past the graffitied walls and tiny shops that line the narrow streets. I love this neighborhood. So many types of shops with the coolest little knick knacks, like the army supply store, or the Swedish candy shop. As we got to Delancy, the inbound and outbound traffic from the Williamsburg Bridge was thick. We maneuvered our way through the cars and got ourselves into the bike lane. As we picked up speed, with the help of the electric motor in the bikes, the wind began to lift up my hair behind me and cool down my neck that was beginning to produce a thin layer of sweat. As we merged onto the Williamsburg Bridge a huge smile formed on my face. I looked back at Ben and I was able to see the beautiful scene of Manhattan filling up the horizon behind us. I love going across this bridge, it always brings me such happy feelings as I am able to see the beautiful place I live in.

As we approached the middle of the bridge, a train was going into the city. It was so loud as it passed and it drowned out all other noise, leaving just the scenery to be digested. All the cars, the water below, the other bikers, were gone from my ears. I looked around me to see Williamsburg ahead soaking in the sun, Manhattan behind us, the open sky above, and a few kayaks below in the East River. I could see people playing soccer at East River Park, and others sunbathing at Domino Park. As soon as the train passed, all the noise reappeared and I realized how fast I was biking. I was fast approaching a sharp turn that comes at the end of the bridge and quickly tapered on my brakes. We sped down the off ramp and docked our bikes at the end of the bridge bike path. 

Feeling revitalized, but still in need of coffee, we walked towards a shop we had been to before during the pandemic. It was a lovely day of sun and the breeze hitting my sweaty face and back just right. The streets were rather empty but it was notably quiet. No car noises or people talking, no noise pollution at all. We walked for a bit in silence just enjoying the quiet. Once we saw the coffee shop ahead, we began discussing if we should stay at the shop or walk around some more. Upon walking into Devoción, we saw that nearly every patron was on their laptop working or on their phone. We looked at each other and laughed as we both knew we would be going elsewhere to enjoy our afternoon. The space was beautiful however. The glass panes in the roof brought in gentle cascading light into the open brick walled warehouse. Green indoor plants and trees nestled amongst the leather couches and wooden stools and tables. We ordered our coffees and stepped to the side to wait. We read a few of their wall displays about how their coffee is flown in straight from Columbia and soon enough our coffees were ready. 

We stepped back into the quiet street and walked towards Domino Park. A waterside recreational area that is great for group activities, sunbathing, working out, or in our case just sitting. As we neared the water, Manhattan in view, we were both excited for the moments of stillness that lay ahead. We found a great spot to sit on the turf and leaned into our paper cups. We sat in each other's presence and people watched, one of our favorite pastimes. I did notice that I could not wait to get back home to keep reading my book. But for now this was the perfect afternoon to pick me up. 

April 24, 2022

Today I was feeling in need of a bit of self-care. Instead of a walk or outside activity, I chose to lock away my phone and do some indoor activities. I began with a full-body stretch in my living room. I love stretching. It always makes me feel better physically and mentally. I usually like stretching with music in the background but it was really nice to just focus on my breath and my body. I stretched for about 30 minutes before feeling fully satisfied and relaxed. Afterward, I looked into my messy room. When I get stressed or overwhelmed you can usually see it reflected in my room’s clutter. I am a very organized and clean person but when my head gets clouded I tend to let my clutter pile up. I began by sorting all my clothes. I love organizing and stress cleaning. It really helps me sort my thoughts and it is incredibly satisfying to me when my environment is clean or a messy thing becomes neat. I folded all my clean clothes and put them away, and threw my dirty clothes into my hamper. I followed up by putting all my shoes away that were strewn about. Having a place for everything is how I like to have my things organized. 

I then tackled the pile of papers on the floor. I threw out what was no longer needed and put my other papers into a folder to sort later. Sometimes it is better for me to do one part of organizing and leave the other part for another time. I then made my bed which I usually do every morning but I didn't do it this morning. I love making my bed, even when my room is messy it makes it seem less cluttered, and it looks so inviting to fall into. To me it has always been so important to have a place in this world where I can go and fully relax and be at peace. Where I can be surrounded by things that make me truly happy. I grew up sharing a room with my older brother and when I moved to college I had a roommate. After dorms I had a roommate but I finally had a room all to myself my sophomore year of college when I got my first apartment. So my bed has always been that happy place for me. Even when my rooms had to be shared, I always made sure that my bed had sheets that I liked or pillows that were extra comfortable. To me my bed has always been the haven that I could run to when the outside world gets too much.

I broke out the vacuum and did a much ended pass over my floors and window sills. Making sure to get all the corners. To top it off, I did a round with the Swiffer to bring a clean and fresh smell to my room. I was already feeling better. I also usually like cleaning with music from my phone in the background so this task was a little harder. As I washed my hands I looked down at my nails. The cuticles were overgrown and the edges were all uneven. A perfect time to do an at home manicure! I invested in a gel nail kit at the beginning of the pandemic to do as a hobby during the long days. I have kept up with it and I have not been to a nail salon in two years. I gathered my supplies, my lamp, nail polishes, and nail cleaning tools. Doing my nails is so meditative for me, it is a task that requires so much attention to detail. Typically, I like to watch YouTube videos or Netflix while doing my nails so I was not too keen on sitting down to do my nails for an hour and a half. As I began prepping my nails by pushing my cuticles back and cutting them, I totally tuned in. Admittedly there were some boring moments while doing my nails, but I actually finished faster because I was not pausing every three seconds to look up at a screen. 

Feeling so refreshed, I walked into my room and fell into my fluffy, perfectly made bed. I know that I would usually grab my phone at this point to go on social media or watch TikToks, but instead I grabbed my book and fell into about an hour and a half of reading. This book is getting so addicting! I find myself wanting to ‘hang out’ with the characters and see what they are up to. Even during hours of the day that I am not locking my phone away, I find myself picking up my book rather than scrolling through my phone. I have been reading it before bed every night which has helped tremendously with my sleep. I have been consistently getting to sleep around 12 or 1 am. I would call that an improvement. I think I am finally understanding why so many people find comfort in books. While turning the two hundredth page, I heard my stomach growl. I went to the kitchen to make myself a snack. I prepared some cucumber spears, a few dates with coconut cream (don’t knock it until you try it), and some crackers. I brought my plate to my room to graze on while I looked out my window. I have such a perfect window for people watching. I do not do this as often as I should, but I remember feeling so at peace just looking out onto the street with no distractions. I have definitely found myself appreciating the silence of my life during these hours without my phone. 

After finishing my snack, I looked back at my book sitting on my bed. I picked it up and kept reading. It is due back at the library May 16, I am hoping that I finish it before then. I read for about an hour more, turning the pages faster and faster. I definitely would call this day spent inside a success.

April 25, 2022

I spent my morning before classes without my phone. I knew during this week I would need to be on my screens a lot more than usual since final projects are in full swing. I walked to SoHo to sit in Petrosino Square. A small triangular park nestled between two very busy streets. It is a great little pocket of trees to sit within, but it is still quite busy. It does not have the serenity of a park, but it is a great place to sit and people watch. I sat on a sunny bench under a big covering of trees in a corner of the triangle. Many people come and go through this park, most stopping to eat some lunch or have a coffee break. So there is always a lot to see. 

I opened my book. I have made more progress than I ever thought I could in a few days. I only had about 150 pages left. I tuned out the street noise and dove into the pages of my book. I laughed at myself for having to cover the bottom of some of the pages to keep my eyes from jumping ahead. It was so thrilling! I have really enjoyed the time I have spent with this book in the past week. I never thought I would be able to read this fast. As I flipped each page, I could not wait to flip the next. The next 100 pages flew by, and before I knew it I was almost done. I hadn’t noticed that each bench had completely new park visitors sitting on them. By the last few pages, I was getting so excited. I could not believe I was about to finish this book. It may not seem like a big accomplishment for others, but this was truly such a feat for me. I have always had pretty bad attention issues. Even before my phone addiction. But being able to just read and not be distracted or tempted to check my phone has been such a change of pace for me. 

I was so proud of myself as I closed the back cover of the book and looked up to realize that I had finished! I knew this book had a sequel so I knew what I needed to do with the rest of my morning before my afternoon classes. I walked back out of SoHo, feeling light on my feet. I turned onto East Houston, enjoying this feeling of accomplishment. I think I was finally feeling liberated from needing to check my phone. I walked up 2nd Ave. passing by restaurants and hearing their employees side conversations as they prepared their seating areas for lunch. I smelled the extremely gross trash bags that lined the sidewalk, holding together the remements of the weekend. I walked until I got to East 7th street. I was almost there, I could see Tompkins Square Park in the distance. I turned onto Avenue A, feeling excited to return my book to the library, feeling hopeful that they would have the sequel ready for check out. 

As I approached the corner of East 10th st. where the basketball courts of Tompkins Square Park are, I could see the skateboarders practicing their tricks on the smooth ground. Through the fence I could see the library. I picked up my pace, the billowing bright green trees above me, their leaves allowing tiny peaks of sunshine. It almost looked like daytime stars in the sky. The apartments on this street are so charming, as they face the park and th sun, I imagine what it would be like to sit in one of their windows, soaking in sunlight with a book. I saw the red New York Public Library Flag waving above me, I opened the big wooden doors and I walked in. I felt a cool breeze brush over my slightly sweaty forehead. I walked up the stairs and saw the same librarian who helped the first time I walked in here last week. I returned my book and made a beeline for the computers. I searched the title of the sequel, Good Girl, Bad Blood. I scanned the screen, 200 holds! Feeling the excitement rush from my face, I placed a hold for myself. But deep down I knew this was probably for the best because admittedly I have spent maybe too much time reading when I should’ve been doing school work this past week. With final projects this week, this was probably the better move for me. I still walked out of the library feeling good. I had accomplished my first goal of finishing at least one book during this detox. I decided to end my detox for the day sitting in Tompkins Square Park and enjoying the sounds of the park, and the sounds in my head. 

April 26, 2022

I did not have too much time to spare for my daily detox today. But I felt myself really needing one. I chose to go on a walk toward the Hudson River to watch the sunset. I left my apartment and walked down East Houston passing by Yonah Schimmel’s knishery, a neighborhood staple, and the basketball courts. I walked until I got to Bowery and turned to walk down, seeing my reflection in the restaurant supply shop’s windows. I always like turning onto Prince st. It takes me past Prince St. Pizza; I can see Tacombi a regular date night spot for me and Ben, I always get tempted to go into Little Cupcake Bakeshop and grab something sweet and fluffy, and then you find yourself in SoHo! It's such a cheerful street. Once I got to Broadway, I turned and walked back up to Houston. I like seeing everyone’s outfit as I walk up Broadway. Each new season brings such beautiful ensembles but the transition from winter to spring always brings such beautiful colors to the streets. 

I decided to walk through the West Village to get to the water but I ended getting a bit lost in the small streets with neverending corners to turn into. I usually navigate the West Village with my phone but I embraced my situation and just wandered around and ended up on some streets I’ve never been on in my four years of living here. The trees and fresh flowers planted throughout brought more color to my lost wander through the streets. Eventually I ended up back on West Houston and knew exactly where I was. New York is funny like that sometimes, you can be mindlessly lost and then you make a turn and you know exactly where you are. I continued my trek to the water. I could see the sun glistening on the water and the runner’s sweaty faces. I crossed the busy highway and walked up the stretch to Pier 45. I love this pier, it has a nice green area to stretch or lay out, and shaded seating amongst some trees. Its perfectly serene while having people around. I often come here in the spring to call my dad, or to be alone. 

I end my evening sitting on the grass watching the sun set as I reflect on what these last few weeks of college have been feeling like. I’ve been so focused on homework that I have forgotten to take a step back and think about who I was just four years ago. Freshman year me would be so proud of me today. I am her wildest dream, I know it.

April 27, 2022

Today I had the morning free of classes and Ben had the morning off from work. We thought it was the perfect opportunity to do something we both have never done before. We wanted to bike the Central Park loop. Ben lives by Columbus Circle so we grabbed some bikes on Central Park South and entered the park on 7th Ave. As we entered we had to dodge a few horse-drawn carriages and tourists standing on the road while looking down at their maps. But as soon as we got through the congested entrance we were on the wide stretch of road and were able to get a nice pace going. We started to make our way up, zipping by trees with fresh green leaves, and other bikers enjoying the day. As we biked up the east side I could see the buildings change from modern high rises to French-inspired balconies and older architectural styles. It is such a beautiful collection of buildings as you go higher and higher up east. 

The sprawling green fields to our left were stunning, and complemented by the varying tree coverage as we kept on down the road. It was really nice when the occasional biker would pass by with a loud speaker blasting music, it really brought the mood up. I remember Ben looking to the side as the street signs peaked over the trees. He saw that we were already on 76th street and commented that it did not feel that we had biked that far. As we continued on, I could see we were approaching the reservoir. I could see runners entering and exiting at the 86th street entrance, new mothers walking their strollers aside the reservoir, and so many dogs. We rounded the reservoir and were passed by a few professional looking bikers speeding down the road. As we got towards the top corner of the park, we recognized the Harlem Meer. We had walked through it on the 4th of July last year to visit the Conservatory Gardens, a beautiful pocket of well kept gardens in the park. This area of the park has may big rocks lining the streets and you are able to see W 110th street. 

We climbed the rounded edge of the loop. This incline was subtle but long enough to start to tire out your legs after about five minutes. As we reached the top of the incline we began our trek down the west side of the park. This end of the rounded road was so exciting because it was all downhill. We sped down the road so fast, side by side and wind in our hair. This part of the loop was solely bikers so it was nice not having to look out for pedestrians crossing over. As we descended down the west side, we were able to see the beautifully carved residential buildings. We sped past the meadows, the hot dog stands, the tennis club, and the reservoir. We kept going, this whole way down was all about speed. Eventually we passed by the lake and I knew the loop was almost over. We began to slow down as more pedestrians began to taper into the road, and bikers were going at a leisurely pace. We rode by Sheep’s meadow, where we noticed so many people were wearing white. There were a few children’s birthday parties and get togethers. Finally we rounded out back at 7th avenue. We exited the congested inlet and docked our bikes. We could smell the toasting peanuts from the Nuts 4 Nuts stand next to the dock, and hear all the languages of the crowds of tourists navigating their way into the park. Another successful day at Central Park. 

 April 28, 2022

For the last day of my week-long digital detox, I decided to have a reflective early evening walk up to Madison Square Park as a form of a study break. I wanted to walk somewhere that had an easy route so I could totally tune out and really think about my last week. I began my walk down East Houston towards Bowery. I noticed I did not have any anxious feelings about leaving my phone at home. This week has shown me that I am capable of filling my time with things other than my phone. Having the intentional time away from my phone has also drastically improved my sleep and helped with my productivity. After all my detox activities, when it came time to sit down get my school work done, I felt less restless and ready to focus. Whereas typically, I would attempt to sit down to do my work and then want to go on my phone for a few minutes which more often than not turned into 45 minutes. 

When I got to Bowery, I turned onto 3rd Ave. and walked up. I have walked up this street so many times over the last four years, at this point its second nature as I navigate the sidewalks, the trees, and electircal boxes. I feel my eyes scaling the buildings around me, my eyes are less tired these days. I definitely think the time away from my phone has helped in giving my eyes a break. I walked through Astor Place and crossed onto 4th Ave. I remembered the many mornings I rushed through this intersection on the way to school when I lived on East 6th st. I had an 8 am class almost every morning that year, so I was barely on my phone. I reminisced about my life before the pandemic. How I would wake up at 6 am and spend my mornings at school, having class discussions and meeting up with classmates afterwards in the library. Spending most of my freetime annotating the readings for class, planning the weekends with my girlfriends, and running around New York. I missed it dearly, I was always on the move and my eyes were never on my screen. These days my life is slower. Not worse but my days definitely go by at a slower pace. I continued up 4th Ave. pausing my stride as I waited for the delivery bikers to pass as they rushed to drop off the early dinner orders of the evening. 

Once I got to Union Suqare I decided to cut across the park. Union Square always reminds me of freshman year at The New School. The dorm I lived in, Stuyvesant Park Dorm was just off of Union Square so I passed through every single day. I remember being so entranced by my first snow day as I looked around at the snow covered trees in Union Square. It was so magical. I passed by people getting out of class, coming out of the train from work, and a busker singing loudly for all to hear. His guitar filled the space with soothing the crass sounds of the street. I made my way to Broadway and kept up the diagonal route. This stretch of Broadway is always so exciting, so much construction always, so many street vendors, and chic shops. So many people. Always. I sensed Madison Square Park ahead as a hush of tranquility fell over the streets. Parks have a funny way of doing that. I think its the trees. I could see the green peeking through the harsh edges of the buildings lining Broadway. I waited at the intersection of E 23rd st. admiring the park. The grand covering of trees amidst the busy streets, and the infamous flatiron building. As the light turned green, I slowed my pace to a leisurely stroll and crossed over into the park. I sat down on a bench facing inwards away from the street. I closed my eyes for a few seconds to focus on my breath. I found myself wishing I had the second book of the series in my hands. At this moment my stomach growled, I was hungry. I looked around and saw Eataly, I had not been since I first moved to New York. I walked through the park and exited as my stomach growls became so loud I was nervous it would disturb anyone trying to from some peace in the park. 

I walked through the heavy glass doors and entered the busy marketplace. As expected, many people were here for dinner as well. I found a counter with an open seat and smiled at the waitress from across the way. She came over and brought me some water as I skimmed the menu. I am comfortable being alone, but I know if I had my phone I would probably sit through most of this meal scrolling on it or wanting to call my mom. As I looked over the options, I noticed I was looking forward to just being present with my food and myself. A big plate of pasta was the perfect end to this week of liberation. I ordered bucatini with pesto and sat back in my seat ready to enjoy to meal without my phone. 

Conclusion:

After this week of spending intentional time away from my phone, I definitely see myself continuing this habit. I also received the email that my second book was available when I got home from my dinner on the last day! I am excited to keep reading over the summer and reclaim my time from my screens. This project was not only extremely enjoyable for me but incredibly informative. I noted that the main reason I really reach for my phone is that I feel anxious about not filling my time with some sort of activity. I developed these feelings through the uncertainty of the pandemic, and for most of the pandemic, there was not anything else to do. Over time, I just got used to reaching for my phone to regulate any feelings of anxiety. This became very apparent every day that I left my apartment without my phone. However, throughout the week I noticed those anxious feelings being further from the forefront of my thoughts. Of course, I did not alleviate these feelings completely in one week, but I think having more information about my own behavior is a great starting point in helping me change my habits.

[whatwouldmeghanmarkledo]

Beyond iCelebrities: STREET ART

Taken on East Houston and Allen, artist unknown

These photos are of my apartment building. The cafe beneath is under construction and some artists painted the wood covering with the Ukrainian flag and left sharpies for passersby to write messages. Within two days the flag was covered by the graffiti in the second photo. I was inspired to take this photo because of all the messages that were written by people voicing their support. President Volodymyr Zelensky said a quote that I cannot find the exact wording of but it was along the lines of, 'we will have lost the war once the West stops watching.' So while people writing 'slava ukraini' on my building will not stop the war, it shows people are plugged in and we cannot stop.

Taken on East 1st between 2nd ave and 1st ave, artists varied

This is a small courtyard in my neighborhood that has constantly rotating art. I was inspired to take a photo of this space because of its varied utility as a space for art. I have seen people come to meditate, sit, sleep, hang out with friends, skateboard, take photos, and make art. It's a multi-use space for so many people to use freely and it is always changing, never the same week to week.

Elizabeth Street Garden on Elizabeth between Prince and Spring.,

I was inspired to include a photo of this garden in Nolita because I have found solace in this space many times while living in NYC. It is a 1-acre sculpture garden open to the community. I have come to read, eat Prince St. Pizza, and sit in the sun and be alone. It is such a peaceful pocket of NYC filled with sculptures and blooming trees.

Taken on Prince, between Bowery and Elizabeth, artist: cartyriseroyo (letter were blurred)

I love Prince street. I always take photos of the everchanging art. This pseudo street sign caught my eye on this stickered pole. I have never heard of this artist but I hope they have more signs in the area. I love street art that mimics the things around it. It is like an easter egg hidden in plain sight.

Taken on Elizabeth, between Prince and Houston, artist unknown

As I mentioned above I love street art that blends or mimics its environment. I have seen a few fire hydrants with these googly eyes and they always make me smile. It adds such a whimsical personality to these everyday street items. I have yet to find out who the artist is because their name is usually too deteriorated for me to make out. I will try to find their name and post it here.

Taken on East Houston between Bowery and Elizabeth, artist: Libby Schoettle (PheobeNewYork)

This is Pheobe, a paper doll that can be found posted all around New York. I have been taking pictures of her for the past four years. She sometimes has quotes above her or inspiring messages to seize the day! When I would see her my freshman year, it felt like she was cheering me on throughout my day. To this day, it still feels like that, I love seeing her around the city in all her iterations.

Growing up in San Francisco, I have been surrounded by political street art for as long as I can remember. We also have amazing murals depicting historical events or dedications to impactful individuals. I have seen the impact of street art on public discourse. I think it helps facilitate conversations and is a powerful way to express support or disdain. There is a controversial street artist in San Francisco called Fnnch. He posts honey bears around the city and each iteration is a message for different things. He was not controversial in the beginning as he posted anonymously and his messages aligned with the values of our city. However, he began taking spots from other local artists and then called himself an "immigrant" to San Francisco even though hes jsut moved to San Francisco from Missouri. There are many articles about his problamatic demise so I will not get into. But in short, he is no longer accpeted by local residents and only embraced by gentrifiing techies.

On another note, I have made many signs for protests. The first photo is a sign I made in the summer of 2020 for the BLM protests. I carried it at 4 protests in San Francisco. The second photo was taken by the San Francisco Examiner and put on the front page the day after President Trump's election in 2016. All the high schools in San Francisco walked out of school that day and we flooded the streets. We were peaceful but it was so powerful.

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Beyond iCelebrities: Sustainable Fashion: Innovators and Outliers

How does Fast Fashion impact you directly? Which celebrity brands are doing the most to address sustainability? Which ones are engaged in greenwashing?

Every time I open my phone, I am bombarded with fast fashion advertisements and influencers promoting fast fashion. I stay as far away from fast fashion as I possibly can, but it seems as though I cannot escape it! I think it's incredibly unfortunate that the prices and trend cycle are the main incentives for many people. I recognize the deep desire to keep up with trends but at what cost? Buying a skirt that is produced unethically, extremely harmful to the environment, and more often than not made from synthetic fabrics covered in lead or other toxic substances is just not worth it to me. Djerf Avenue is a great brand of the moment that is producing "trendy" clothes in a sustainable way which is so great to see because I know many people are inspired to invest in their pieces. However, Zara and H&M are leaders in greenwashing schemes. It it unfortunate because Zara has gianed so much traction but they are just a glamorized fast fashion company.

What are your thoughts on mushroom leather? Will vegans be key players in sustainable fashion?

I thought the mushroom leather was so innovative! I do think vegan opinions are incredibly valuable in the creation of sustainable options and I know many vegan focused brands like Birkenstock have done so much already for sustainable fashion.

3. For just one cotton t-shirt it can take nearly 3,000 liters of water. to produce enough cotton to make it. Using recycled cotton can save that water, and it reduces waste.

I recently started shopping on the website ThredUp. Even for basic items like T-shirts. Why buy a brand new one when there are millions of used and gently used items going to waste! ThredUp also uses sustainable packaging to ship their clothes and gives customers the option to shop for 7 days before they officially ship your package so they can consolidate your items into one box.

4. Patagonia, Pact, ABLE, Tradlands and United By Blue are just a few of the sustainable fashion brands you can find in the United States and globally.

My whole life my parents have only purchased our outdoor gear from Patagonia. This has been an incredible privilege but ever since I could remember, seeing my parents value their company for their labor practices and sustainable focus, has shown me the importance of researching what I buy for myself. To this day, I always check the fabric of everything I buy and look into new companies that I am interested in. Yes, it may take a little extra time, but I don't think there should ever be a rush to get your hands on any item. That extra time helps support so many people and the environment.

9. The best way to be more sustainable is by choosing quality pieces that will last a long time over cheaper ones that you know will go out-of-style.

As I mentioned above, my parents have always modeled the value of supporting good companies. My mother specifically worked in fashion and has always pushed the importance of learning about fabrics and labor practices! She refused to purchase anything without a lining, or anything with plastic-based fabrics. This has stuck with me throughout my life and I have had the privilege of being able to build a closet made of investment pieces. But I do not need to buy anything new for the next 20 years! I highly recommend anyone to check out The Real Real if you are interested in building your own investment collection. They sell used luxury goods at good prices that are honestly comparable to some fast fashion these days. Would you rather buy a $70 dress made of plastic at Zara that everyone has, or a $75 used Missoni sweater that will last for the next 20 years?

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Beyond iCelebrities: DIGITAL DETOX EXPERIMENT & BOOK REVIEW: How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell

1. What is your favorite quote from the book and why do you find it meaningful?

“Simple awareness is the seed of responsibility.”

This quote really resonated with me and where I am with my relationship with my phone. Before COVID, I was not addicted to my phone. My whole life was intentionally designed by my parents to be as offline as possible. For the first 7 years of my life, I never interacted with a screen. My parents found a private school called Waldorf that followed this philosophy for the sake of child development. I like to think it paid off because as I grew up, I never had a relationship with a phone, unlike many of my peers, I received my first smartphone when I was 17. My social life changed drastically throughout COVID and post quarantine, I have found myself essentially addicted to my phone. But over the past few months, I have had this raised awareness of my new habits. I want to make sustainable changes for myself and how I spend my time.

2. Why do you think this book, released by indie publishing house Melville Press, has become an unexpected bestseller in Corona Times?

I think as a society we were forced to look in the mirror as we were finally given a pause to reflect on how we spend our time. I think for many people, their digital lives are subconscious and second nature at this point. It can be hard to realize how much time you spend doing something until you are forced to confront it. I think this book really helped facilitate that conversation for many people.

3. How does the attention economy benefit from our social media activity and media streaming consumption?

Everyone streaming and social media platform are designed for the user to provide as much data as possible to be collected. So our activity online may seem like a harmless pastime, but it's a data farm and we are the cattle.

4. How does this book relate to the topic of celebrity culture?

Celebrity culture is driven by the attention economy. We are constantly fed who and what we should be paying attention to. This book provides the opposite; what we should not be paying attention to, and as it says in the title "How to resist the attention economy."

5. Do you take digital detox breaks? If yes, describe them. Have they been more challenging during the quarantine era? Why?

Like I mentioned above, before quarantine, I never really went on my phone. I tried to fill my time with school and social activities. During quarantine, I was actually off of my electronics more than usual. My family ended up doing a lot of activities like board games, walks, and bike rides together since it was the first time in a few years that we were all actually under one roof so it was so fantastic to have that time together. Now in the semi-post quarantine era, I use my electronics more than ever before. In part because of the increase in mandatory online interactions via Zoom, but also because a lot of my social relationships changed since the beginning of COVID. I just don't have as many social activities to attend so I find myself filling my spare time with my phone. As the end of school approaches, I want to make an effort to spend the least amount of time on my phone for the summer. I am in urgent need of a long-term digital detox.

6. Do you sleep with your phone or computer? Are you aware of the impacts on your sleep cycles and relaxation caused by overnight proximity?

I leave my laptop on my desk or in my school bag, my phone is a different story. I got some advice from my family friend to get a proper alarm clock and leave the phone in the living room. I am trying to get into the habit of leaving my phone in a different room when I sleep to create some distance and so I'm not inclined to scroll right before I sleep or first thing when I wake up. I tend to scroll for "5 more minutes" for an entire hour. I am aware and definitely concerned about my proximity to my phone during the night. When I don't want my alarm to go off in the morning, I tend to grab my phone and keep it by my pillow to catch it on the first ring. I have noticed the times that I have left my phone outside, I sleep so much better.

7. What is the role of nature in Odell's book, in particular the role of birds? (P.S. Did you know that birdwatching has become a HUGE pastime in the Covid era with a Snow Owl becoming a celebrity in NYC's Central Park? See NY Times (Links to an external site.) article on Birdwatching and another on the snowy owl (Links to an external site.))

For Odell, immersing herself in nature has been a way for her to disconnect and "do nothing." Not having anything happen at the drop of a hat is something that is not common anymore. Just experiencing the sitting, the waiting, and experiencing time pass is no longer an occurrence with our phones on hand at all times. In relation to birds, Odells speaks about her experiences as a birdwatcher. She reimagined birdwatching as "bird listening" to reconstruct her connection to the space around her. A rewiring of sorts, to simply observe and not rely on our auto pilot tendencies of quick analyzation and processing.

8. Experiment: Leave your phone at home for one hour to talk a walk in your neighborhood. Write down your observations when you return and draw a map of your path. What did you observe?  Take a photo of your map to include in your book review. Did the experience provide any revelations? Were you anxious, relieved, inspired? Did you notice anything you'd never seen before?

I have always loved taking walks in New York. Before COVID, I would walk about 5-6 miles a day. It is always therapeutic for me. I am from San Francisco which is not a walking city so I always associate long walks with my first months in New York as a freshman. A time where I used long walks to decompress all my nervous and excited feelings. I love walking in New York because I find it hard to get lost but easy to walk somewhere you have never been. Four years later, I still use long walks to decompress and just let my mind go blank. During this walk, I felt inspired yet anxious becuase I did not have my phone. I did not have music or a way to call someone in case of an emergency. But by the end, I was refresehd and did not pick up my phone again for a few hours.

9. What does Odell mean by 'doing nothing?' Are we capable of doing nothing? 

When Odell speaks about 'doing nothing' she confronts the endless cycle of productivity and production that we have been conditioned to see as normal, necessary, or as a measure of success. To Odell, 'doing nothing is going against that system of thought and simply existing in your space without expecting anything to happen. A more human experience. I think we are capable of doing nothing, but I don't think it is something we should treat as a fair possibility for everyone. Not everyone has the option to 'do nothing.' The unfortunate reality is that many people are dependent on their jobs or multiple jobs.

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Beyond iCelebrities: Animal Rescue: From Jane Goodall to Cher

What does Jane Goodall have to impart about Hope and how can it help the animals of the world?

Jane Goodall speaks about her deep connection to animals and how through her journey in the forest, she has always felt a strong spiritual power. I love how she likened her experience to the strong spiritual power those who attend old cathedrals feel. Something that pulls you in over and over. This feeling that has brought Jane Goodall back to the forest over and over, can be translated to so many people. We are all connected, humans and animals. Her work and hope clearly embodies that connection we share. If we call felt a little bit of her hope, the support that could be provided to animals would be incredible.

Can celebrities like Cher have an impact on empathy for animals?

I believe celebrities like Cher can definitely have an impact on empathy for animals. People get their information from so many places. Knowing where to look or having the time and access to really immerse oneself is something not everyone has the capacity for. So yes I think with limits, pop culture and celebrities are valid sources of information that can have positive impacts. However, I also think it's a double-edged sword because more often than not celebrity campaigns and celebrity affiliation with animal conservation are business deals not truly for the sole purpose of helping animals. In other words, I think if celebrities help bring awareness to an issue and we as individuals do our part to do our own research after being inspired or made aware, then that is a step in the right direction.

What is the 6th Greatest Extinction event and how does it relate to the Anthropocene?

The 6th Greatest Extinction is the current series of species extinction taking place during our lifetime. It is related to the Anthropocene because it is caused by the pressure humans have inflicted on the planet and its living beings, specifically the animals and the environment. This current extinction is forecasted to be the worst following the previous 5 extinctions.

What endangered species are you most aware of? How can we help preserve their habitats? (provide a photo)

I have always had an affinity for chimpanzees and primates in general. So I have closely followed the unfortunate decline of mountain gorillas. As of now, there are only about 880 mountain gorillas left in the wild. The best way to preserve their habitats is to donate to organizations that are protecting their land. The main reason for their decline is land clearing for livestock or agriculture. A popular way to contribute to conservation efforts is gorilla trekking, it can be done for any gorilla, not just mountain gorillas. You essentially purchase a permit and you are able to take a guided hike into their habitat. Trekking does not impose or undermind the animals or their health. A big portion of the money you spend to acquire a gorilla trekking permit goes directly to conservation efforts and local wildlife education programs.

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Beyond iCelebrities: My Octopus Teacher Film Review

1. What fascinating facts about octopuses did you learn from the viewing? Provide at least 3.

That octopuses change their behavior to catch their prey, that they can change their skin from bumpy to smooth in order to avoid their predators, and that they leave drill holes in shells when they inject poison into the shell allowing them to pry it open to eat the inside.

2. Has this film had an impact on your view of the octopus species? How has it changed or expanded? (1-2 paragraphs)

I did not know much about octopuses before watching but I was really touched by the connection. I had no idea they were capable of such a close bond with humans. I know this is the only documented wild connection, but it did change my view as I have seen their emotional intelligence on a different level.

3. Discuss the film through the lens of interspecies communication. Provide examples of the ways Craig Foster and the octopus interacted. (2-3 paragraphs)

Having such little knowledge of octopuses, I was fascinated by every moment of this film. I especially found the ways in which Craig tracked her littered shells to find her very interesting. I also found the part when Craig decided not to interfere with the shark biting the octopus to be a key point in understanding interspecies communication. If he had intervened he would have disrupted their natural cycle of life in the wild. His understanding of this was important as the outsider in the situation.

After the octopus was bitten, Craig was able to observe her perseverance through adversity. This quote from Craig really captures the beauty of interspecies communication, “We are totally reliant on the natural system for every single breath we take, for every mouthful of food we put in our stomachs. We are woven of the same thread. We’re made of the same stuff. If the natural system suffers, we suffer.”

4. What is anthropomorphism and how could this tendency shape or distort the narrative? (1 paragraph)

Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object. This tendency could distort the narrative as Craig is the outsider and if he had expectations that the octopus would have similar behavioral patterns to a human it would have disrupted the entire experience.

5. Why do you think this film resonated with so many viewers during the height of the COVID pandemic? (1 paragraph)

I think this film resonated with so many viewers during the height of the COVID pandemic because we were all deprived of connection. Connection with our loved ones and the connection we often take for granted, the connection with strangers. Seeing this beautiful connection take place was definitely a reality that so many of us were missing even if we did not realize it at the time.

6. How does this film shift the definition of 'intelligence'? (1 paragraph)

My Octopus Teacher shifts the definition of 'intelligence' as it showcases such an unorthodox way of learning, observing, and connecting. Without words or interference, Craig and the octopus were able to connect and build a relationship. Usually, intelligence is associated with the ability to share verbally, or through the sharing of ideas.

[whatwouldmeghanmarkledo]

Beyond iCelebrities: Climate Justice, Food Sustainability and Black Lives Matter

Who is Leah Thomas?

Leah Thomas is a journalist and black environmentalist. She is also the founder of the blog and movement, the Intersectional Environemtnalist. She attended COP26 to "find out whether intersectional environmentalism was actually embedded into the climate conversation after the “racial awakening” of 2020."

What happened at COP26?

Leah Thomas's experience at COP26 was less than acceptable. She was invited to observe and many other BIPOC climate activists were invited to speak and have a seat at the table. But none of them were allowed to be part of the conversations to make decisions. As Leah put it, "While BIPOC environmentalists were invited to bare our souls to crowds of people on panels and given passes to the events, I couldn’t help but wonder if we were just spectacles for the parade."

What is Intersectional Environmentalism and how does it relate to Black Lives Matters (2-3 paragraphs)?

"Intersectional Environmentalism" was coined by Leah Thomas. Her resource hub spread awareness and provides a space for other POC environmentalists to gather. Intersectional environmentalism is an inclusive practice of environmentalism as it advocates for all people and places. It addresses and protects the unique challenges and needs of all communities and the people within. It relates to Black Lives Matter as the virality of the movement rose along with the BLM protests of summer 2020. Both movements address the importance of hearing from those who are often left in the dark on issues that impact them the most.

Who is Leah Penniman?

Leah Penniman is the co-founder, co-director, and farm manager of Soul Fire Farm. She founded the farm with the mission, "to reclaim our inherent right to belong to the earth and have agency in the food system as Black and Brown people." She has over 20 years of experience as a soil steward food sovereignty activist.

What is Soul Fire Farm and why is it important to the climate movement (2-3paragraphs)?

Soul Fire Farm is an Afro-Indigenous-centered community and farm. On the farm, they grow and distribute food to the communities to end food apartheid and gain agency in the food system. Their food sovereignty programs reach over 160,000 people each year and they provide training for Black and Brown farmers and growers.

This type of work is incredibly important to the climate movement as they are empowering and including communities and people who have otherwise been looked over or not included.

[whatwouldmeghanmarkledo]

Beyond iCelebrities: Vanessa Nakate: A Bigger Picture BOOK REVIEW

1. Your favorite quote from the book and why. 

"Their system would rather destroy the planet for the benefit of the few rather than preserve it for the many." This quote stuck with me because it is the essence of the importance of bringing her voice to the climate crisis. The systems in place are made by the white and wealthy for the white and wealthy. Vanessa Nakate and many other POC activists must be at the table.

2. Answer the questions above: Who is Vanessa Nakate? Why is the photograph important?

Vanessa Nakate is a young climate activist from Uganda. Inspired by the works of Greta Thunberg, she began a climate crisis movement in her own country to bring attention to the urgent issues at hand. She is bringing attention to the issues that are happening in globally poor countries that often go unacknowledged because of their global status within international society. This photo is important because in her words when she was cropped out, they "Didn’t just erase a photo. They erased a continent." Her perspective is just as important if not more important because of the years of unacknowledged issues in the countries she is speaking up for.

3. Analyze Vanessa Nakate's Twitter feed : @vanessa_vash Choose a tweet that has particular resonance.  Tie it to a theme in the book.

“True climate justice should not only involve the planet but should also have the people at hand “. @vanessa_vash This tweet is a concise way to put one of the main themes of her book. Yes, climate change impacts the planet, but the people who live in all corners of the planet are disproportionately impacted. Everyone needs the help that could actually make a change in their lives.

4.  Respond to this statement: "Nakate is conscious of the power her voice wields, and the world would benefit from listening." (Kirkus Reviews)

Everyone can benefit from listening to the works of Vanessa Nakate. Whether they have different viewpoints or not, or different beliefs. Everyone can and should be listening to her.

5. What is Rise Up Movement Africa? Discuss its effectiveness through the lens of Nakate's involvement and the power of diverse stories. https://www.riseupmovementafrica.org/ (Links to an external site.)

Vanessa is the founder of the Rise Up Movement Africa. The movement empowers women and girls to transform their lives and communities through local investments in leadership initiatives. Vanessa's involvement is definitely a strong factor in its effectiveness. She is able to spread awareness and gain support for the movement through her global work.

6. Video review

This video highlights the importance of looking past oneself when imagining support for the climate crisis. That there are people, real people, families, and individuals who are being impacted. The climate crisis pushes so many people further into poverty, so how can you address poverty eradication without first working towards climate justice?

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Beyond iCelebrities: Celebrity Baby Boom, Human Population and Climate Change

1. Are attitudes about fertility changing among Gen Z and Millennials? Can you give some examples from conversations you may be having?

I had a conversation with a friend about three years ago. We were discussing birth control methods as we had both been on birth control since we were 17. Personally, I have known I wanted to be a mother since I was a child. I mentioned this to her and she responded with something I had never heard a girl my age say. She said she wanted to get her tubes tied as soon as possible. As long as I have known that I've wanted to be a mother, she has known she does not want to be one. We had a great conversation about environmental impacts and population growth. At the time I didn't think much of it, but I've thought about her a lot over the years. She was dead set on not wanting to bring a child into this world considering the state of our environment. I have not changed my mind, but I think about our conservation and wonder if I should reconsider my life priorities. I haven't had a similar conversation since.

2. How big of an impact is climate change on changing attitudes?

I think amongst younger generations there is a bigger impact. I think older generations, may see climate change as a lost cause that they ultimately won't need to deal with. I could be wrong but I think climate change activism is always passed onto the younger generations.

3. Did it surprise you to learn that having one fewer child is 73 times more effective for the planet and animals than being vegan?

Yes! This was so surprising. This is such an important statistic to pass around because while the vegan lifestyle is definitely a worthy cause, I feel there is a lot of shame associated with those who choose not to follow a vegan lifestyle. I have nothing against vegans, but I do think there needs to be a more realistic understanding that living in capitalist countries is enough to damage the environment and animals than being vegan will ever make up for.

4. What is your response to Pope Francis's recent comments?

I do not agree with his comments about our humanity being diminished if we choose not to procreate. I think it actually showcases our humanity as we are thinking of our communities and others before our own desires. By refusing motherhood and fatherhood, something that does bring great joy and happiness, we are exercising the ability and right to choose the well-being of our current world than the experience of a hypothetical one.

5. Do celebrities' baby news put pressure on others to have children? How?

I think the monumentality of celebrity baby news is quite delusional. Their celebrity status should not be the standard of motherhood or parenthood. I personally do not think it puts pressure on me, because I know the experience of motherhood as a celebrity is not very realistic. They have unlimited access to resources. A privilege that most mothers will never experience. Not to say their experience as celebrity parents is invalid, but it is not an experience that I will have, therefore I do not feel pressured personally.

6. Should women be given more agency over their fertility decisions? How can we innovate around this?

YESS!! Women should always have the most agency over their fertility. We need to have way more support for women from all walks of life when they are facing fertility challenges or success.

7. What is your response to Elon Musk?

I think anything Elon Musk says is hard to take seriously. He is clearly shown he is only concerned with capital gain, so if population decrease means fewer people buying his products or working for him, and for him, that means civilization collapse, then sorry I do not agree.

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Beyond iCelebrities: Don't Look Up! FILM REVIEW

Synopsis and reaction:

Graduate student, Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence) discovers a meteor headed for Earth. With the help of her professor, Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) the duo find themselves pleading with the world to take them seriously. Standing in their way are the President of the United States, President Orlean (Meryl Streep) and businessman Peter Isherwell (Mark Rylance) whose primary objective are to capitalize on the materials of the meteor rather than take action for the safety and survival of the human race. Both Dr. Mindy and Kate's tireless efforts ultimately fail as President Orlean and Peter Isherwell's plans to neutralize the meteor fall short.

I found the amount of A-list celebrities in the cast distracted me from the plot for the first half of the movie. However, I did appreciate the commentary on the state of our international cooperation and internal issues within the US.

1.The film has been described as a "science fiction black comedy". Do you think that is accurate? How would you describe it?

Considering the point of view that black comedies address taboo or morbid topics, this description lines up. In our (American) society climate change is seen as a rather divisive topic. It is often a mainline talking point for our major political parties and is weaponized in the field of politics.

2. Why do you think this group of A-list celebrities signed on to appear in this film? Do you think their influence has helped to amplify climate change awareness?

While some actors may have joined the project due to the idea that this movie could speak towards the climate crisis, at the end of the day, the addition of each star compounds the paycheck of another due to each star's box office draw. It has helped amplify climate change awareness, but it's hard to tell if that amplification is significant or impactful because it's not directly speaking to the issue. However, I think all press is good press and it has definitely put a lot of real life shortcomings beyond climate change in the spotlight. Specifically, big actors in the issues in real life like the CEOs and politicians.

3. What is your reaction to this meme? Provide a quote from one of these tech CEOs that could have been in the movie

In my opinion this is accurate to an extent. Tim Cook and Elon Musk have some ability to talk to the public. Mr. Isherwell does represent the idea of profit over people that the general public seems to accept about the above people. Tim Cook I feel is grouped with the other three less often as he isn’t the founder of Apple but rather is the representative now. Overall it is a very surface level reaction as it is most taken by accounts that post content about in popular releases.

Some tweets that could have been in the movie: “Lie back and think of Mars” - Elon Musk and “If you scare people enough, they will demand removal of freedom. This is the path to tyranny.” - Elon Musk.

4. Did the film spur interesting discussions in your community? Provide some examples.

Most of the discussions revolved around the film's effectiveness. Many were unsure who this was made for because it felt like it was preaching to the choir for those who see the climate crisis, and is fairly condescending to those who are staunchly against it. So at the end of the day, while it may convert some people, it's hard to tell if that breaks triple digits.

5. Can comedies create more of a social change impact than documentaries? Has this comedy been effective in delivering its climate change message?

I would say no, but that is not to say that documentaries are better suited to incite change. Both genres have the ability to incite change just to different audiences (that can also crossover). Comedies just increase the field of people who may have their minds enlightened that documentaries may not reach. I’d argue that it has been effective from the point of view that it has started a conversation, but no concrete activism can be found in this film. If the goal was to convert non-believers, that may be a different story.