theExperience

To me this is like saying, "I'd like TV shows to all be shot live with no editing, and I'd like my books and news articles to be first drafts." I mean there's a place for those things (live theater or SNL, and poetry slams where stuff is improvised), but I certainly wouldn't want the majority of my media to be like that. Editing is more than just removing the ugly and emphasizing the beautiful. It's a way to clarify what point you're making.

Honestly, I love that people want more artsy experiences in their life. Growing up in the 80s, everything was about conforming and being the same. If you were a guy, you had to like sports and listen to Bruce Springsteen. If you liked art you were a "fag"; if you liked science you were a "nerd"; and if you were either of those you didn't have a place in society. My wife tells me it was similar for the girls, though they had some leeway on the art.

I get that Instagram in particular brings out the worst qualities of wanting to look cool or important or whatever. And I agree that's awful. But man I would have killed for some sort of immersive artistic space to explore when I was a kid.

I'll take this over hanging out at the mall buying things for no real purpose any day.