Subscriptions are Stealing our Money and Magic!
Every month, some subscription-based service takes my last $15.
Subscription services are taking over every corner of the world — from music, television, and games to home security cameras, YouTube, and even Tesla cars; it's a never-ending trend. The sheer pain I felt when I logged into my Vogue Runway account and couldn't access the photos from the shows anymore due to the subscription was unimaginable. I think it's time for us to return to our roots with physical media.
Once you miss some Netflix fees, you lose access to 7,000 TV shows and movies. But if you buy DVDs, you have that copy for as long as you like. Sure, it may not be as convenient, but having a physical piece of media that will never leave makes it all worthwhile.
The unlimited access that subscription networks give is great, but the missed payments send a reminder that it's all temporary. There's no ownership, meaning if you don't pay for Apple Music, you lose access to your catalog. Still, you never lose CDs and vinyl records unless they are physically damaged, which is a relatively low possibility.
The wave of emotions that hits when going through the family or friends' picture albums can never be beat. All the memories and nostalgia remind us how much life is worth living. Yes, we have our photo albums on our phones, but when we lose storage and only a certain number of photos get backed up on iCloud, now half of the pictures can't load. Think about the number of times you lose your phone, or even drop it from your bed while you are doomscrolling. You never know when your phone or laptop will fail, meaning all your sacred memorabilia is gone as well.
Aside from that, now you have to pay an extra amount each month to keep those photos, and the greed of these corporations is disrupting that connection. As the times change and become more technologically advanced, we as a society lose the aspects that bring us together. We need to get the photo albums back on our coffee tables. It is a great way to entertain guests and spark conversation. Not only that, but it also allows people to gain a better understanding of who we are. Board games and cards are other examples of experiences that bring us together without experiencing the interruptions of advertisements or monthly payments.
We experience things differently when they come from something tangible. We can touch and feel, and don't have to bend our necks and strain our eyes or pockets to experience them. Let's take notes from the Amish. Honestly, we should have stopped technology right before subscriptions got out of hand. What happened to cable, and where can I sign back up for it?
Strike Out,
Johann Jonassaint
Boca Raton
Johann Jonassaint is a content writer for Strike Magazine Boca. A true Venusian who can never get enough of being wrapped in cozy sheets, listening to video essays or daydreaming. When she finally leaves her sheets, you can catch her writing at the library, the only place she can actually get work done. Feel free to contact her at jjonassaint2023@gmail.com or @jojoeva_ on Instagram.
Cover Image Courtesy: New York Times/ Glenn Harvey
