The not-so-lost art of the modern journal
In this episode we re-explore the diary. Diaries have represented traditionally as a means for people to express their innermost feelings, thoughts, and desires through personal reflection on the pages of a book. While even today, some people still pursue journaling either as a habit born in their formative years or as a means for self-improvement, few people still write their thoughts down on paper.
But not all is lost for the art of imprinting oneself on a medium. From social media posts, to the photos we take, to the digital crumbs we leave every time we listen to music, we leave records of our lives on a daily basis, sometimes privately, other times eagerly participating in the formation of a collective memory.
Together with Laura Suomalainen and Jasmin el Kordy, this episode’s hosts, Jana Pufflerova and Marius Augustin have a conversation on why we may sometimes record parts of our lives? Why do we share these snippets with others (or not)? What happens to these slivers of our lives after we pass? And we reflect on how our concept (and purposes) of journaling may have changed in the last decades.
02:27 Capturing and sharing life through photos
22:12 Journaling, remembering and nostalgia
31:52 The purpose of documentation, future uses and afterlife
42:37 Unexpected forms of diaries
49:04 Diaries as an imperfect lens of our memories
1:02:40 Conclusion
Guests: Laura Suomalainen & Jasmin el Kordy
Hosts: Jana Pufflerova & Marius Augustin