https://x.com/levelsio/status/1752682241946177932
There's so many things I learnt from being in drum & bass music 2003-2013
One thing is that there's an absolutely massive amount of nostalgia in any scene you enter
When I entered the drum & bass scene, (first because I loved the music, and then later as a producer and DJ), you already had the older ppl who'd say "drum & bass isn't what it used to be", but for me when I was in the scene, it felt like the peak of it, so much new music and seeing 90s jungle with breaks transform into synthetic kick-snare 2000s drum & bass with @DJFresh, @noisia_nl, @subfocus and Pendulum @elhornet felt like a really special moment
But it wasn't special, just special for me cause it was a new scene for me and I was discovering everything
The digital nomad scene of especially 2014-2019 feels similarly magical to me. Everyone from around the world flocking to Thailand and Bali, and we had no idea what we were all doing. We were on the other side of the world figuring our lives out and it was super special.
But well it probably wasn't special for most ppl, except for me. The people going nomad and flying the first time to Bali (or Mexico City or wherever) are probably experiencing the same RIGHT NOW as we did back then.
The indiehacker scene of 2016-2018 for me, same, @rrhoover with @producthunt blowing up and everyone suddenly starting to indie bootstrap products, apps, startups. Some turning out really big. A lot of people think that was the peak days. But instead I think it's now.
Nostalgia is nice to have for a little bit, but it's so easy to dwell it in and it can REALLY QUICKLY become quite dangerous for your well being. The past IS NOT better than the current moment generally. You just think it is cause your brain is constantly fucking with you by deleting the bad memories and keeping the good ones.
Anyway the point is, no it wasn't better before, and no you didn't miss anything. There's endless waves you can jump onto and surf, but for that you have to really be present in the moment to catch them. If you're just looking at what happened before you, you'll never. And that's the whole challenge, because it's easier to look what happened before you, then be in the present and well, like, creating the future
(eg e/acc and actually yes, e/acc feels like another wave that's special to be in right now)Jan 31, 2024 View on X →
Wednesday, January 31, 2024