Create a Digital Time Capsule
What’s popping, people? I’m out for my morning walk here in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. This tree in front of me is magnificent, and the sun will rise soon enough—I can’t wait. Just getting the day started and thinking about this idea: creating a digital time capsule.
Reliving Memories Through Media
Last night, before going to bed, I was thinking about my trip to Rome and some of the adventures I had with my brother in Costa Rica. I started looking through some old video footage—us visiting coffee shops, hiking trails, and just exploring. There were even videos of me talking out loud, sharing my morning thoughts, much like this moment. Watching those clips made me smile and chuckle. It was so enjoyable to review and relive those experiences.
Maybe that’s the approach—using something simple like a GoPro to share your thoughts authentically. Just snapshotting your way through life. Using a GoPro, a Ricoh, or whatever you have, you create these little memories in a way that’s not so serious but still meaningful.
“Creating in the spirit of play allows you to relive memories one day, like you’re walking through them again.”
The Joy of Revisiting Photos
Yesterday, I had a great conversation with a local photographer on the street—shoutout to Spencer! He talked about how much he loves going through his photos when he gets home, reliving the day or that specific walk. I completely relate to that. For me, it’s about those 10 years of photographs I’ve stored. Whenever I go back and look, it brings such joy. It’s like stepping into a time machine.
The Power of a Digital Time Capsule
The idea of a digital time capsule is fascinating. It feels like the easiest way to store memories for the future. When I dig through old closets at home, I find these ancient photos—pictures of great-great-grandfathers, old documents, and family history. These memories fade over time. The photos get lost or damaged.
In the digital world, we face a similar challenge. Files get corrupted, or things go missing. But the beauty of the internet is that platforms like YouTube provide almost infinite storage. YouTube is owned by Google—it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. That makes it an ideal place to upload memories that can potentially outlive us.
“If we’re seeking to create memories that will live on forever, maybe it’s wise to share them using platforms like YouTube.”
The Problem with Instagram
The issue with platforms like Instagram is their closed nature. You need an account to view photos. That’s why I always encourage people to create their own websites. A personal site becomes your space—your archive of work, thoughts, and experiences.
Make a website. Own your space.
The Creator and the Consumer
When you start producing—photos, videos, writing—you eventually become both the producer and the consumer of your work. Going back through what you’ve created can feel overwhelming at times, but it also fills you with joy. It’s a cycle of abundance.
“Retracing your steps, reliving the things you’ve experienced, can be a rewarding feeling as time keeps fleeting.”
Outliving Ourselves
Using cameras, technology, and the internet, we have the tools to outlive ourselves. We can create something lasting, a time capsule of our lives, for future generations—or even just for ourselves. One day, when we revisit these memories, they’ll remind us of the richness of the lives we’ve lived.
“Time may be fleeting, but through our creations, we can live on forever.”