Thoughts From Millennials or Younger

[vosBghos]

I noticed the other day in the Walmart that they are now selling records and record players.

Yeah records are back in the mainstream and in the smaller Brick Phone counter-culture tapes and CDs too. Your average Joe is starting to realize that music compressed down to the smallest digital files actually sounds horrible..

 

[David D. Davidson]

Yeah records are back in the mainstream and in the smaller Brick Phone counter-culture tapes and CDs too. Your average Joe is starting to realize that music compressed down to the smallest digital files actually sounds horrible..

I honestly think it’s primarily because it’s retro, rather than being an audiophile - if it were the latter, you’d think it wouldn’t be so hard to find and download FLAC audio files for music - best combo of fidelity and convenience. Anecdotally, the few younger people I know who have a record player are artsy girls cultivating a certain aesthetic.

I want so badly for what you’re saying to be true, as someone who hoards uncompressed audio and has spent far far too much on headphones, speakers, and amps. Love me some high quality audio, but I really don’t see much discernment among my peers. More power to them, but my snobby ass wants a shift in consumer expectations so badly

 

[vosBghos]

I honestly think it’s primarily because it’s retro, rather than being an audiophile - if it were the latter, you’d think it wouldn’t be so hard to find and download FLAC audio files for music - best combo of fidelity and convenience. Anecdotally, the few younger people I know who have a record player are artsy girls cultivating a certain aesthetic.

I want so badly for what you’re saying to be true, as someone who hoards uncompressed audio and has spent far far too much on headphones, speakers, and amps. Love me some high quality audio, but I really don’t see much discernment among my peers. More power to them, but my snobby ass wants a shift in consumer expectations so badly

It was actually brought up in a panel discussion about the future of music media where one of the commentators brought up that people were beginning to realize how bad MP3/4 actually sounds and as you say were seeking out alternate forms of digital and if they could not find it seeking out the analog media to combat it. I guess it really depends on the scope and demographics of any study, I'm speaking in really general terms about a very small movement but it's growing.. I was immersed in the digital distribution world for years and was wondering if and when even the "artists" would notice.

 

[jpberg]

I think "authenticity" might be hitting the nail on the head. From the millennial pipesmokers I've met and worked with it seems that with all the techno gizmo digital age that has been showered upon us with the turn of the century, people are reaching backward searching for something a bit slower and more genuine. There is a whole slew of younger millennials and the older Gen Z that are embracing analog-only stereo and video media and actual print media and buying up brick phones to lessen the constant scrolling addiction. And even those who are going further back embracing traditionalism and joining the Catholic church or even the Orthodox. The search for identity continues the whole thing is fascinating.

Are they the ones that take their typewriters to Starbucks?

 

[brian64]

When they start using beepers and pay phones I'll know they're serious about going backward.

 

[Papamique]

I feel like the Danish freehands, large Charatan’s, meerschaum and the Italian school with the unique looking pipes tend to look less “old man” than the more traditional shapes like comoys or Dunhill

I get a lot of interest and compliments while going through the drive through and a pipe is in my mouth. A nice business class black car, long braided hair, sunglasses, goat tee, and a suit/shirt&tie helps complete the look I guess but it’s all in the confidence.

Whether dressed like ZZ Top or a hillbilly or both as long as you have confidence I don’t think it matters. That’s what attracts people IMO.

 

[krizzose]

One of the benefits of age is being able to truly and deeply not give a shit what others think. So when others disparage my choices, I truly do not care.

Word up

 

[krizzose]

Though I’ve been a pipe smoker for over ten years, an incident occurred while reading this thread which disqualifies me from “mentoring” any one interested in starting to smoke a pipe.

While leaning over to continue reading after putting my phone in a stand, my pipe slipped out of my mouth and hit the desk bowl-down, knocking ember and all out of the pipe. I sat there looking at it for 10 seconds with my brain on tilt locked between “how the f&@$ did that happen?” and “brush that smoldering pile into the ashtray.”

Mentor indeed

 

[instymp]

I started 32 years ago at age 17 and I actually dissuade them from it. As innocuous as many make it sound by calling smoking a hobby, it's an expensive addiction that can cause serious consequences on health. If they're already smoking, chewing, etc and ask questions about pipe smoking specifically, I'll answer as best I can but do let them know about expense and rising costs.

Yup! Never considered it a hobby and still don't.
Happy though for that those that do because everyone needs one.

 

[sablebrush52]

Though I’ve been a pipe smoker for over ten years, an incident occurred while reading this thread which disqualifies me from “mentoring” any one interested in starting to smoke a pipe.

While leaning over to continue reading after putting my phone in a stand, my pipe slipped out of my mouth and hit the desk bowl-down, knocking ember and all out of the pipe. I sat there looking at it for 10 seconds with my brain on tilt locked between “how the f&@$ did that happen?” and “brush that smoldering pile into the ashtray.”

Mentor indeed

As long as the room didn't catch fire, doesn't count.