In defence of non-interactive media

The set of “A Number”, currently playing at The Old Vic

Last week I took an afternoon off and went to see a preview performance of “A Number”, a powerful and intense “two-hander” that ran for only a little over an hour.

I love the Theatre, just as I love Ballet, Opera, Movies, as well as a good TV drama. I love books, I love to get lost in a book. I love audiobooks, particularly when out on a long winter’s walk where I have consciously chosen to both walk and “read” a book. I love winter walks without any media even more, when the world around me is my “media”.

Today’s thoughts are inspired by this concise daily blog from Seth:

In defense of non-interactive media
It doesn’t talk back. It doesn’t beep or update or invite a click. It doesn’t change based on who’s consuming it. It doesn’t interrupt you, and it begs to not be interrupted.

It’s rarer than ever before, and sometimes, we need it.

from Seth Godin’s daily blog

I love this thought he shares, yet I disagree that “non-interactive media” is rarer than ever before. It is all around us, and for this, I think about walking in nature without any music or audiobooks (and yes, with our phones off and stashed deep in our coats!).

Nature indeed does not change based on who is consuming it. It doesn’t interrupt you and you cannot interrupt…