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The Resurgence of Physical Media:
bringing back the basics
​Written by: Hudson Axtell
In a relatively recent bout of popularity during the 21st century, whether that was because of the insurgence of social media or an unprecedented fad, collecting physical media has become a sudden focal point of many (strangely, usually young) people’s lives. From records and CDs, to VHSs and film cameras, teens everywhere have reached across chronological boundaries and begun to collect various pieces of physical media from all kinds of different eras (ie, LPs created in 1948, VHS tapes in 1976, and CDs in the 80s), finding the beauty and fun within them. The added benefits of collecting physical copies of movies, shows, music (or whatever else it may be) are seemingly endless for their collectors. Not only does it allow avid fans to have something fun to show for their devotion, but each copy typically comes with bonus features like posters, alternate covers, and photography booklets. Personally, I find collecting various (some say outdated, I say timeless) ephemera of my favorite media to be one of my favorite things to do! It especially benefits the owner when their favorite music or film is removed from streaming services, thus making it impossible to access without a physical copy. In my case, this has happened a plethora of times with the movies I love, but it’s also happened with music, where, most recently, one of my favorite albums, My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless, was taken off streaming, leaving one of my only chances to listen to it being with the LP I own. On top of these overwhelming positives for avid fans of media, nothing beats the feeling of seeing a rare record at a local record store you thought you’d never find—I can speak from experience! Music and movies are some of the things most intrinsic to the human experience; thus, it’s no surprise in the uptick of people finding nothing better than sleuthing for their favorite media, or finding that picture-perfect moment to capture on camera; all things that make favorite experiences all the more special. Stories like these are recounted all over the world, and physical copies of film, photos, and music all find a way to preserve otherwise lost media, celebrating the innate marrow of humanity into pieces that can’t be lost to the endless annals of the internet.
Autumnal Aura
a season turned aesthetic
Written by: Hope Juhnke
When fall officially began on Sept. 22nd, according to the Farmers Almanac, the weather should be warmer than the previous year, where Wichita had a lowest temperature of −8 °F. The cold season is predicted to have an average temperature of 61 degrees, with a low precipitation level. How do these statistics come to fruition? It begins with networking satellites in space, dropper radars, and automated surface observer systems collecting a multitude of data. This data is then interpreted and collectively stored in a computer forecast model, where the findings are used to predict future weather in the area. Forecasters use experience and knowledge to predict the weather based on the model, which is why, at times, the weather cannot be perfectly interpreted. The local foliage has begun to shift, as the colors of autumnal joy peak through in brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. The peak of fall colors in Kansas was from October 25th to October 28th, and from November 10th onward marks the preparation for winter, as leaves will lose their color completely. Why do leaves fall? When on the tree, the leaves are actively growing, meaning they are receiving chlorophyll that makes them green. As fall approaches, the temperature drop causes the trees to go dormant, meaning they are not growing any longer. Due to this, they begin to fall to make room for new leaves the next year.
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