Picture This

Take a snapshot or not?

It’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words. And yet, people also say, ”no words can describe” when spellbound and mesmerized by astonishing moments.

How do these two truths add up when overcome by sonic bliss on the dancefloor and feel a need to document it? Are you moved to capture the sounds and sights, and whip out your phone to record it? Or do you take a deep dive in your mind and pick up the pace of your prancing as music waves wash over you?

Our cultural currency being social media, encourages a false narrative that personal perceptions alone aren’t of high value. As if not sharing these fleeting moments with friends and followers somehow makes them less worthy. And given how easily accessible our phones are, it’s clear why snapshots too often take priority over raw sensory intake.

So...just because we can, does it mean that we should, or that it’s good? Does the very action of putting a camera in front of your eyes disrupt the sonics streaming in your ears and reverberating through your molecular structure? Does this static interference distract from music’s healing properties to soothe, uplift and recharge you?

Different circumstances certainly call for different measures. And whether documenting digitally is for good or wholly unnecessary reasons is something only you, and you alone know. But given the precious nature of time spent dancing, I maintain that a more critical lens of when it’s worth it, is…well, worth it. So, I’m putting on my self-proclaimed rave anthropologist hat on, and breaking it down step by step.

You’re on cloud nine. Well, actually more like twirling on the dancefloor amidst a thick blanket of fog. Suddenly, a shift in sound strikes a chord in the far reaches of your soul. Not only do you want to keep and replay this moment forever, why shouldn’t your followers share in it too?! Or perhaps you’re driven to record it for a friend who’s not there. Or just want to add to your archive of treasured memories. Whatever it is- you come to a standstill, fracturing the intimacy with a thick layer of diversion between you and the present.

You grasp for your phone, diverting more attention from the music. Because if you’re anything like me, finding it is less than swift, requiring some reaching around and fumbling. AHA! Now in the palm of your hand, the screen brightens. Yet more distractions as your eyes scan a plethora of texts, notifications and/or apps tempting you towards a downward spiral swipe trap.

Okay, let’s say you manage to avoid the pitfalls and aim your lens to preserve the moment. Or at least your best given your vantage point through all the obstacles, Ya know…people moving, fog, background sound, lights, etc, etc. Or perhaps simply just preparing for the picture during those precious seconds- you actually missed whatever it is you were trying to capture. Or maybe in the flurry you accidentally had the flash on and made a scene? And now after all that, now you’re no longer lost in the music.

And let’s say you were successful in taking your pictures and/or videos. Did you actually remember to even glance at them later? Maybe you’re not like me, and actually remembered to look at them. But what’s the quality of the audio and video? Are they even somewhat accurate, allowing you to reminisce? Or might you have been better off twirling and taking in the music’s beauty? “The Present is a Present” afterall.

On the other hand, not capturing the moment might mean you don’t remember the details- the next minute, day or year. But perhaps what it fed your spirit is of higher value than pictures and words can say.

Trust, I’ve taken (and will continue to take) a plethora of pictures and videos while twirling. And I’m certainly not shaming anyone’s aptitude for aperture. But in today’s hyper fast faux and fronting society that suggests if you didn’t post, it didn’t happen; it does me justice to be more considerate as to when and why I do.

Living the present is often way more valuable than the digital memories racking up storage on our phones. Far too much of which collects dust rather than serving any real future purpose. So when you next pause for that beat, perhaps bank on your brain to be your primary receptor.

And that’s just what goes on in one’s mind. I haven’t even begun to tap into the hotly debated policies at parties and clubs. No photos. No phones. Stickers on cameras. A flagrant foul of these rules can be enough to get you bounced out. More on that to come in an upcoming column, “Picture That.”