The impact of social media in the retrospective community
The use of modern technology is something which can divide the retrospective community. How many times has someone jokingly quipped, “Your smartphone doesn’t look very vintage” or “Instagram wasn’t around in the 50s”. Well… a lot of people in the 1950s didn’t have indoor toilets, either.
Modern technology often gets a bad rap these days, and in some respect I agree with the arguments. We spend a ridiculous amount of time staring at our phone screens and can often miss what’s going on around us. Many people attend concerts and view the whole experience through their camera phone, and I’m sure most of us are guilty of pretending to be listening to someone whilst scrolling through our Facebook news feed. The media is telling us children aren’t picking up essential social skills because they are too dependent on their phones.
So what’s so good about the internet? Should we be relinquishing our constant grip on our smartphones and reverting back to good old-fashioned snail mail? Telegrams? Cave paintings? Absolutely not.
It may be a strange anachronism, but Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and my personal favourite, Instagram are an indispensable tool for the vintage community. I go through my daily commute, work and errands sticking out like a sore thumb and feeling, well, a bit like an alien. But I can go online and speak to like-minded people who share my passion and enthusiasm for vintage, something that many people just can’t get their heads around. And that’s why social media is such a great refuge for lovers of the past.
To be fair, it may look slightly out of place for a ‘50s girl to be taking selfies – but I am in love with social media. It literally keeps me sane. Don’t get me wrong, I love to read a good book. I love picking up new magazines. You don’t have to give up anything to enjoy social media platforms, and they don’t instantly make you shallow or less academic. They are simply another tool to explore and soak up all things vintage.
I wholeheartedly object to the belief that social media makes us, well… unsociable! In the past 12 months or so, I have made countless friends through Instagram. I have a handful of very close friends who I’d never have known without Instagram. We get to speak every day through our sacred Facebook group chat to catch up; share outfits and shopping steals; give each other pep talks and plan our next weekender.
Another great thing about social media is that it can be life-saver for the shy. I’ll admit I’m almost always hesitant to speak to brand new people. Small talk makes me squirm. I can’t help but avoid eye contact so people won’t talk to me about the weather. Chatting via Instagram or Facebook is a great way to break the ice. Simply by following people online whose style or record collection you may admire, you already have something to talk about if you ever stumble upon them – perhaps at a vintage fair or concert.
If you want another great reason to sign up to the dreaded Facebook or Instagram, it’s a brilliant way to keep informed of upcoming events that you probably won’t hear about otherwise. Countless vintage fairs, weekenders and meet-ups are held all over the country, and what better opportunity to finally talk to the handsome chap or gorgeous lady you’ve been cyber following for a while (please refrain from real life following). For example, Instagram users may have heard about an annual picnic put together by a certain group of Belles… (Hint! Give @thebritishbelles a follow to find out more!).
If you’re a new convert to technology, or an already established internet aficionado, make sure you give In Retrospect a follow or a like on their Instagram @inretrospectmag and Facebook page… just make sure you remember your manners and put your phone down at least sometimes!
Still not convinced? Are a love of vintage and social media mutually exclusive? Or maybe you just love the excitement of picking up a new magazine. Never fear! You can always pick up a few copies of In Retrospect magazine and get your vintage fix the good old-fashioned way.
Photos courtesy of Alice Donnelly and Jo Livings.
