Issue 19: Editors' Note

Sabrina Carpenter crawled across the stage, à la "Baby" in Dirty Dancing, and suddenly, 

I was watching Dirty Dancing for the first time. 

As the movie went on, jealousy sank into my heart. Baby had the summer I wanted. 

The family vacation summer camp resort, the sweaty secret summer nights dancing away the fears of the times. I yearned for the summer she was living. Since then, I've been looking at my phone with a level of disgust- well, that's harsh, more like resentment. 

I resented all the summers I spent scrolling my hours away. Life diluted by the screen that was beginning to feel more like a shackle every day, I dreaded the idea that this summer would be the same. 

In my fantasies, I throw my phone away, fill my gas up, and ride around the city with all my friends. Exploring and expanding our own little worlds all summer.

The reality was, everything is on my phone. Gas is almost $5 a gallon (and seems to run out faster). My friends are all working crazy hours to survive or stressed about not working, that's if they're even in town. Even worse, everything is expensive: bowling, roller skating, and all the other extracurricular activities rack up $20+ a person, "Third spaces" don't really exist, and going outside almost always guarantees a $15 charge will soon appear on your card. 

For every desire to change, came an excuse not to.

And then, my sweet perfect strong solider, my purple iPhone 11, stopped working: The top half of my screen would lift up anytime it wasn't layed flat, making it basically impossible to detect touch on any upper part of the screen, still if you used the accessibility features, it passed for a phone, and in this economy, with an already expensive phone bill, passable was all I could afford. 

What was yesterday easy, i.e. doomscrolling or swiping socials in general, was now not worth the trouble. After I let the detox symptoms pass. I was approached with boredom, an old summer friend. 

I remember how much I used to hate it, but my childhood of long Texas summer days taught me its valuable place in life. Boredom sparked imagination, which sparked creativity. A symbiotic relationship that seemed to have lately been snuffed out by the excitement of social media and A.I. 

For the first time in a long time, I found my curiosity again. 

The things I was searching for while scrolling on my phone are easy to see now. The want for a good story, a good laugh, a moment of connection or discovery possible with every swipe. It hasn’t really felt like that in a long time. Social Media lately has felt less social; it feels like second-guessing every post, every motive. Navigating an AI minefield, hidden ads, false narratives, with panopticon-like responses and posting.

Thoughts that weren't mine, overwhelming feelings, and the dissatisfaction as time slips away. 

Life sprawled out in this false way used to fill whatever void got me on these apps in the first place, but lately, all I am is bored. I don’t get my friends on my feed as much anymore; I miss local events, but somehow always get the influencer meta glasses ads. What used to be, at least, interesting has become invasive and predictable. The algorithm knows me too well and has been using it against me. I yearn for the lives in the movies, where they do something. 

Where’s the excitement, the thrill, the specialness of the World Wide Web? Where’s the excitement of the world? 

Turns out it’s still there, outside waiting for you. 

We spent the summer searching for it, looking for the thing we all crave, and this issue is our attempt at gifting you part of the answer. 

Maybe the least we can do is get you to ask more questions, to get more curious, or, my greatest hope, to go outside.

What are you waiting for? 

-T

Issue 19: Editors' Note July/Aug '26

How to have fun again

Call it what you want: analog, offline, indie summer. What we know is we're missing something.

These are tips on how you can start to regain your independence from the screens and get back into the real world. 

Use this as a starting base for a detox, intertwine it with a 75 soft (or hard) challenge, take some, leave some.

Just consider the ways you use the screen, and the way the screen uses you. 

Social media stays home (not on your mobile phone)

Connection has become too convenient; This doesn't include the fandom and worldwide connections made possible through social media; I mean the negative side of connection.

It's not supposed to be this easy to know everything about someone.

Sharing online used to feel more meaningful, but now it feels like a job, or sometimes it actually is one needed to survive. 

The social media market grows and changes exceedingly fast, and to keep up with it is running against a never-ending train; some make it on, others get crushed. At what point do we ask ourselves what we're really chasing?

Rethink how you go online.

Are you trying to "be an influencer," or does your authenticity and creativity help you build an online community, instead of just an audience?

Instagram, Twitter (X), TikTok, and all the other social media apps that keep changing in an attempt to keep us happy and entertained; miss the mark, and we can't help but stay. However, lately, being online has begun to lose meaning and value.

AI has made being on the apps annoying and weird. It's stolen pieces of the internet that made it entertaining. Bots have infiltrated so much that comments and posting risk reaching an audience that makes the trouble not worth it. 

When I think of how I want to spend my time online, I want to feel inspired and intrigued; I want to meet new people with the same interests and discover my own taste and preferences. Instead of spending hours on socials, get into new websites. rabbit hole on Wikipedia, discover new artists on NTS Radio, join scenes on Perfectly Imperfect. Discover new blog sites, independent magazines (wink wink), get back into gaming and forums, explore and have fun, and then log off.

Go outside. Reconnect, and decenter social media.

Replace getting social handles; instead, make a note page of tags/contacts/emails you meet out, connect with them online when you make it home, and eventually get used to asking "Can I have your number?" or " Can I have your email?"

Disconnect from the discourse and connect more purposefully by separating from socials.

Exist beyond the feed.

From "network" to community 

Connect and share with intention; it's more interesting, more meaningful, and takes away a lot of the stress of social media when you're not over-cultivating an aesthetic. Constantly having 24/7 access to each other, continuous updates, endless scrolling, and ads has tainted sharing online. It's competition, comparison, and evaluation. Add some separation. Go more analog 

No matter how high-tech things get, analog has a charm you can't replace. With the lack of new analog in exchange for new digital, the decline in useful, less expensive products in comparison to the mass production of digital makes this easier said than done.

There is a nice middle ground: phone as a tool, calculator, maps, etc, and separate it from the things that keep you overly attached to it. 

Look at your phone: what apps would you miss if it turned off? Get a music backup, thrift an old mp3 and fill it with the music you like, burn cd's/swap them with friends. Show off your playlist skills and make a mixtape.

Models: Sophia Deaver, Hillary Castillo Marte, Mickey Tegegne Photos By Toni Desiree

Get a puzzle book or a word search. Swap a notes app for an on-the-go journal; write your thoughts, your schedule, and contacts you meet. Ditch overpriced reading apps and get a library card, get a book for on the go, and a book for at home. Get magazines, read obnoxiously, get well-read and educated, and reject the rise of ignorance and inconsideration. 

I don't care if it looks performative. Before, people brought books with them on the go, packed notepads, and walked around with portable CD players all the time, before it was all optimized. 

I don't think you should be shamed for going back to wired headphones because people think it's a little corny. 

Go out of your way to experience a life detached from the feed. 

Boredom is just a sign. Follow the way and see where it leads. Talk to strangers, join community groups, go to places alone, and open your eyes to the world again.

5 Safe Sex Practices for a Sexy Summer

Whether you’re traveling for vacations or internships, partying til you drop, or experiencing your first single summer, one thing remains true for anyone planning to have sex this summer: safe sex practices are a must. 

Summer has a reputation for being spontaneous. Things you might have said ‘no’ to before suddenly turn into ‘for the plot?’ But while spontaneity can make for a great summer (and make great stories in the future), your sexual health shouldn’t be left to whatever happens.

A few simple safe sex practices can help you enjoy everything this summer has to offer without bringing home a sexually transmitted disease (STI) or stressing about an unintended pregnancy.

1. Buy your own condoms

This may seem like a given, but it's so important that it literally needs to be drilled into. your. brain.

Whether they're external condoms or internal condoms, never assume that whoever you’re having sex with will have them. It may even be a good idea to buy different sizes and different materials (latex and non-latex for any allergies) and keep a few handy in your bag, pocket, or room in case things go down there.

This also eliminates any excuses of “I don’t have any protection on me. Can we just not use it?” because you won’t have to rely on anyone else to bring it. You also never truly know if someone else’s condoms are safe, especially if this is a one-night stand situation.

They could be expired, damaged, or tampered with. You never know, and in this case, it's better to be extra cautious than sorry by bringing your own. 

Note: When pairing lubricant with condoms, make sure the lubricant is water-based to reduce the risk of condoms breaking down.

2. Get tested regularly for any sexually transmitted infections

If you are sexually active, especially with multiple or different partners, it would be wise to consider getting tested regularly. Getting tested allows you to stay informed about what’s going on in your body and also helps prevent the spread of STIs from partner to partner. It can also give you peace of mind if you’re able to show your sexual partners up-to-date test results while also asking if they have any recent results of their own.

Mount Sinai offers free, confidential services, and can answer any questions about how often you should get tested, other resources available to you, and information on medications.

Many colleges and universities also offer free testing, and Planned Parenthood provides free or low-cost testing as well. 

Tip: Follow organizations on Instagram to keep up with any free testing events or informational posts. 

3. Consider getting on PrEP

According to Mount Sinai, PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, is a medication taken before exposure to HIV that can significantly reduce your chances of getting HIV.

Some potential options are a once-a-day pill, an on-demand pill taken when you know you’re going to have sex, or an injection taken every two to six months. You can make an appointment with Mount Sinai to find out if you’re a good fit for PrEP and learn which option would be the best fit for you.

If you have already been exposed to HIV or think you may have been, you should look into PEP, or Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, which should be started within 72 hours after exposure. New York City also has a PEP hotline that you can access online, or you can access your local emergency room.

4. Always keep people in the loop

Some of us love filling our friends in on our sexual adventures, while others prefer to keep things private.

Whichever one you resonate the most with, it’s important to let at least one or two trusted people know if you’re leaving a party with someone or meeting up with someone, either for sex (if you’re more open), or to just hang out (if you want to keep it on the down low).

This helps in case anything goes south, whether you were feeling this person at first and now the vibes are off, or the situation becomes unsafe, potentially resulting in sexual harassment, assault, or rape.

Sharing locations with someone you trust or letting them know where you’ll be gives someone the ability to check in on you if needed, and gives you some extra peace of mind that someone knows where you are.

5. Talk to your sexual partner(s) about sex, kinks, and consent

We get it, sometimes sex can be awkward to talk about, or you may worry that discussing what you are and aren’t comfortable with will ruin the mood. However, having these conversations beforehand or even in the moment can help you gauge whether someone may be a good fit for you as a sexual partner.

Not everyone likes being tossed around in the bedroom, praised, or even talked to at all during sex. Letting your partners know what you’re into and what you’re comfortable doing can save everyone from any uncomfortable or unpleasant situations. It is also important to talk about consent.

Hearing what your partners think about consent can tell you a lot about whether they take it as seriously as you do. You may also want to establish a safe word to use during your sexual interaction if you think it's necessary.

Also, remember that consent is an ongoing process that can be withdrawn at any time. Agreeing to something once does not mean you are obligated to continue if you change your mind!

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There are plenty of safe sex tips to keep in mind as you dive into your sexual endeavors this summer (and all of the time!).

The most important thing to remember is that safe sex is self-care. It’s better to be overly cautious than to end up in a situation that puts your body or anyone else's at risk or under unnecessary stress. 

Step out of your comfort zone. Try new things this summer. Be spontaneous. Have fun whenever, wherever, and with whoever.

Just don’t compromise your sexual health, because safe sex is sexy.