The Sunday Digest 181
"There shouldn't be this ring of silence, but what are the options?"
Welcome to The Sunday Digest — a free Sunday newsletter featuring long (and some short) reads, original columns, things I’ve saved over the last week, relaxing playlists, episodes releases, exclusive product drops, and more. Yes, you can reply to this email. I’d love to hear from you.
Sunday Read: Why MiniDisc Players remain so cool in the 2020s
by Christine Ochefu for BackMarket (via Lunch Reads)
I didn’t really know how it worked. I sat on the floor in my dad’s den surrounded by his cowboy decor trying to figure out how to get this blink-182 album to actually transfer to the blank MiniDisc. After taking far longer than it should have, it finally worked. It even said the name of the song on the screen.
But then I got tired of copying everything over. And then I still kept buying CDs which meant I was still packing my CD book on road trips. And then I just stopped carrying my MiniDisc player altogether because I had heard “Dude Ranch” (1997) enough times that summer.
Looking back on it all now, I know the nostalgia is altering my view of it all in a positive way. I remember it feeling like the most advanced piece of tech I’d ever held. I remember feeling legitimately cool when I’d listen to it in the halls. In fact, I wish I still had it today with its back covered in stickers and all.
I wouldn’t say my current music habits are convenient by any means. I actually have another record needle in the mail now. What I’ve found, though, is that sometimes that slight inconvenience allows you to enjoy things even more. And that applies far wider than to just music.
Here’s a brief excerpt:
“We have no self-expression and individuality in our entertainment nowadays, and we have no possession – it's all gone,” he claims. “[But if] you buy the CD, rip it, you put it on Mini Disc and then it’s yours forever. There's just so much choice. And with every choice you’re offered, there's self-expression. That is something so lacking and a void in our streaming world."
Read in full here.
The Sunday Haiku: Last Night Me Didn’t Look Out For This Morning Me
I don’t need more sleep,
and I don’t need some Advil,
I need ice water.
Things I Saved This Week
Sunday Background Noise: Anacapri in the Morning
Whether you have chores to do or a book to read, enjoy spending two hours on the balcony of our room in Capri.
Next week, I’ll be releasing another Slow TV-style video from a rainy morning in Mallorca. If you’ve been enjoying these videos, I’d love for you to subscribe to our channel below.
New Episode › Retail Therapy 154: Euro Summer and Uncle Loafers
Will returns from Mallorca and Capri with his captain’s log, the Audemars Piguet x Swatch collab, the “Racist Uncle Loafers,” Kith uses Jonah Hill, the new gen-z uniform, Cobie Smulder’s sick “cabin,” Aime Leon Dore SS26, Manchester United’s warm-ups, and more.
Listen to Retail Therapy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and anywhere else podcasts are found. You can also follow Retail Therapy on Substack.
My Sunday To-Do List
An early morning Manchester United match.
A blueberry scone from the bakery near us is sounding delightful.
Some attention needs to be paid to our garden today — and maybe a game of catch in the yard too.
Will I begrudgingly watch an episode of Euphoria tonight? Honestly, probably not. We are two episodes behind on Survivor 50 so I think that may take precedence.
I hope your Sunday fills up your cup this week.
— Will
charlotte de witte is Big Goa Trance plant