I’m OpenSoulAIs Chief Architect and infrastructure founder…but, behind the scenes I’m a singer/songwriter, a doting Mum; who prays and meditates a surprising whole lot. I do love pastry cooking and fine dining, as well.
I grind my A off so I can afford the freedom to live “analog” as coined.
Love your content Gary, and I have been thinking the same. Coming from a tech background I always thought that "IEL" is, well, the real deal. People don't live on their phones, they live in the real world and then they use their phones.
Interesting point. I like the "choose one or both" strategy, I agree you should choose your way while keeping in mind it's polarized now. But it's a chance, not a theat.
Thanks for writing this, Gary. I actually posted a similar IRL note early in July where I explained one of the reasons behind the trend is Emile Durkeim's concept of "collective effervescence". We do what we do online to live together and experience life together offline.
woop woop. i´m like 100. :) thank you for the lovely article Gary. Thanks for taking the time. for providing your underpriced action <3 :) My heart agrees with that. Humans with Humans is an important way to go. Events and Circles and hearts. Human Intelligence HI and Human Community HC <3
I truly think we’re about to see a resurgence of gatherings again. My biggest dream in life is to be Martha Stewart and host huge dinner parties on the regular. That kind of connection sounds nice.
Thank you, Gary. You just described something I didn't have language for until I read it.
You built your entire brand out of one liquor store, your dad's, talking to customers all day. The store was the content engine before content was even a category. Real life first. The content was just downstream of it.
I drive Uber some mornings, and every so often a real conversation shows up there. But most of what I write about comes from somewhere closer to home, showing up for my dad, being present at my cousin's ranch on the Fourth of July in a body that can actually keep up now, walking alongside my wife and the people I love instead of just watching from the sidelines of my own life.
Your barbell idea lands the same way for me. I use AI so I can get my thoughts out clearly instead of rambling. But the thing AI is helping me describe is always something that already happened, in a room, with real people, not on a screen.
The technology to fake presence has never been better. Which is exactly why real presence has never been worth more.
Build for the room, not the feed. That's the whole game.
It makes me wonder if the businesses people remember most in the next decade won’t simply be the most efficient. They’ll be the ones that make people feel welcomed, known, and genuinely connected. That’s something no technology can manufacture on its own.
WomenInBusiness.Org continues with our exciting analog experiences including The Grand Business Salon. As the founder, 25 years ago I updated the historic Salon. Men thought I was referring to a hair salon back then. Outstanding women in business were very puzzled. My version? I adapted the concept as an innovative, curated real life rendezvous, convergence and celebration for leading executives, entrepreneurs and professionals in different sectors. 2026 marked the 22nd Salon with continued SweetSuccess. As a face to face, one of a kind experience, each Salon is held in a different place and space with each Salon agenda never repeated. No one said real life experiences are easy - but they can be personally and professionally rewarding.
I think you are absolutely correct. Spend a lot of my career working with Theatres and it’s a joy. Sincerely hope that industry will only strengthen in the coming years
Since 2020, I’ve seen the rise in analog hobbies as well. Particularly in my domain of chicken keeping. Homesteading and backyard chicken keeping is taking off.
Over the past several years, we have been renting backyard chickens to people. Yes, renting chickens. It’s a thing. I’m part of an affiliate network with a company called Rent The Chicken.
Folks who want to experience the joy of having chickens without the full-time commitment. We bring them mature hens (ones that are already laying eggs), a mobile chicken coop, and all the feed and supplies they would need for about six months. About half of the folks adopt the chickens, a quarter of them reserve for the following year and a quarter of them decide it’s not for them long-term.
Many of these renters are parents who want their kids to be outside and better understand where our food comes from and our relationship with these things in our lives. They want them playing in the dirt and off of the devices.
Once digital competence becomes cheap, real human presence becomes more valuable!
Thanks for fettering this out, Gary.
I’m OpenSoulAIs Chief Architect and infrastructure founder…but, behind the scenes I’m a singer/songwriter, a doting Mum; who prays and meditates a surprising whole lot. I do love pastry cooking and fine dining, as well.
I grind my A off so I can afford the freedom to live “analog” as coined.
I really hope people and society can get back to the roots of humanity. We are social creatures and most people like physical things still.
Seeing some analog come back into the world is a good thing.
Love your content Gary, and I have been thinking the same. Coming from a tech background I always thought that "IEL" is, well, the real deal. People don't live on their phones, they live in the real world and then they use their phones.
Totally agree, can't beat real life experiences.
Cheers
Interesting point. I like the "choose one or both" strategy, I agree you should choose your way while keeping in mind it's polarized now. But it's a chance, not a theat.
Thanks for writing this, Gary. I actually posted a similar IRL note early in July where I explained one of the reasons behind the trend is Emile Durkeim's concept of "collective effervescence". We do what we do online to live together and experience life together offline.
woop woop. i´m like 100. :) thank you for the lovely article Gary. Thanks for taking the time. for providing your underpriced action <3 :) My heart agrees with that. Humans with Humans is an important way to go. Events and Circles and hearts. Human Intelligence HI and Human Community HC <3
Loved it and second that!
Thank you
I truly think we’re about to see a resurgence of gatherings again. My biggest dream in life is to be Martha Stewart and host huge dinner parties on the regular. That kind of connection sounds nice.
Thank you, Gary. You just described something I didn't have language for until I read it.
You built your entire brand out of one liquor store, your dad's, talking to customers all day. The store was the content engine before content was even a category. Real life first. The content was just downstream of it.
I drive Uber some mornings, and every so often a real conversation shows up there. But most of what I write about comes from somewhere closer to home, showing up for my dad, being present at my cousin's ranch on the Fourth of July in a body that can actually keep up now, walking alongside my wife and the people I love instead of just watching from the sidelines of my own life.
Your barbell idea lands the same way for me. I use AI so I can get my thoughts out clearly instead of rambling. But the thing AI is helping me describe is always something that already happened, in a room, with real people, not on a screen.
The technology to fake presence has never been better. Which is exactly why real presence has never been worth more.
Build for the room, not the feed. That's the whole game.
love it!! Wrote this piece on what brands should learn from Charli XCX after the release of music, fashion, film 👀 https://substack.com/@coastalmidwesterner/note/p-208250194?r=1uh3ld&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
It makes me wonder if the businesses people remember most in the next decade won’t simply be the most efficient. They’ll be the ones that make people feel welcomed, known, and genuinely connected. That’s something no technology can manufacture on its own.
WomenInBusiness.Org continues with our exciting analog experiences including The Grand Business Salon. As the founder, 25 years ago I updated the historic Salon. Men thought I was referring to a hair salon back then. Outstanding women in business were very puzzled. My version? I adapted the concept as an innovative, curated real life rendezvous, convergence and celebration for leading executives, entrepreneurs and professionals in different sectors. 2026 marked the 22nd Salon with continued SweetSuccess. As a face to face, one of a kind experience, each Salon is held in a different place and space with each Salon agenda never repeated. No one said real life experiences are easy - but they can be personally and professionally rewarding.
I think you are absolutely correct. Spend a lot of my career working with Theatres and it’s a joy. Sincerely hope that industry will only strengthen in the coming years
Since 2020, I’ve seen the rise in analog hobbies as well. Particularly in my domain of chicken keeping. Homesteading and backyard chicken keeping is taking off.
Over the past several years, we have been renting backyard chickens to people. Yes, renting chickens. It’s a thing. I’m part of an affiliate network with a company called Rent The Chicken.
Folks who want to experience the joy of having chickens without the full-time commitment. We bring them mature hens (ones that are already laying eggs), a mobile chicken coop, and all the feed and supplies they would need for about six months. About half of the folks adopt the chickens, a quarter of them reserve for the following year and a quarter of them decide it’s not for them long-term.
Many of these renters are parents who want their kids to be outside and better understand where our food comes from and our relationship with these things in our lives. They want them playing in the dirt and off of the devices.