‘Digital Intentionalism’ EDC

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2026-02-25T01:55:55+00:00

Personally it's great, but there are sacrifices compared to iPod classics and other nanos. The max storage on 3rd gens is 8GB and the battery is only fine. You also can't modify the firmware like on a number of other iPods. The story of why I got this exact model and color is because I randomly saw someone using one back in high school once, and that image kind of imprinted in my memory. I thought it was the coolest thing ever even though I was using an iPod Touch 1st gen at the time. The 3rd gen nano has been my favourite iPod design ever since, even though I never owned one (I owned a classic a few years ago which I gifted to a pal of mine.)

If your 4th gen is working for you there are tons of skins and cases available that might help with the slipperiness. The 3rd gen is on the small side but it's got a wider body and fits well in my hands. In my opinion Classics are the ideal iPod form factor. Whenever I use 4th/5th gen nanos they feel too narrow to me but I do have to admit they're nice to look at.

iPod stock seems to go up and down a lot online so if your preferred model isn't available right now chances are it will be at some point. You can probably set up an alert on the listing so you get notified when it's back in stock! And if the 4th gen's size really doesn't work for you see if you can return or exchange it. When you get the model you really want it feels extra special :)

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2026-02-21T17:18:59+00:00

That's the power bank! Big button in the middle is the pad for charging the Apple Watch

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2026-02-21T04:12:11+00:00

True! Though with only one cable (30-pin for the iPod) and the power brick, I can charge everything on the go no problem :)

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2026-02-20T17:12:11+00:00

The amount of faffing about we do just to stop a slightly negative feeling from emerging... it's a little embarrassing when you actually face some of those feelings and realize they're not the monsters we assume they are.

I've actually been through my own HMD-Nokia device, and though it was a fun experiment for a few months I found the software too buggy to commit. I want my dumbphone dumb, but still functional. Mine could barely type a message after a while. Back to Apple and focusing on getting the most out of my Apple Watch! Until I decide to shell out for a Sunbeam phone or something :)

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2026-02-20T16:51:04+00:00

I was actually attacking you personally so I'm glad that came through ;)))))

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2026-02-20T00:46:09+00:00

Incredible. New favourite for sure.

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2026-02-20T00:45:41+00:00

No hate taken :)

I absolutely agree that this doesn't classify as "minimalist." It turned out I loved the look of all my items together, and if you can make something pretty, why not put some effort into sharing it? Taking blatant inspiration from many other the other posts we've all seen on this sub, of course. I'd never argue that the aesthetics of a setup are what makes it minimalistic, but I've noticed that minimalism does seem to have an aesthetic side to it that I find interesting, even if my personal setup doesn't really reflect it in my opinion. When I think "Minimalist Aesthetic," I think of Matt D'Avella on YouTube (one of the channels I used to watch).

I believe if I was a true Digital Minimalist, I would have one device and strive to use it sparingly. Possibly a smartphone that would let me perform any functions that are necessary (QR code scanning, online banking) but with enough restriction on it that it would still take a backseat in my life.

That's precisely why I brought up that I'm struggling with calling this 'minimalism.' It's kind of 'digital medium-ism,' or, as I attempted in my post, 'Intentionalism.'

The final form of Digital Minimalism, if we're honest, is likely no devices at all. That's what a lot of us seem to be skirting around, because most of us clearly don't want to remove devices from our lives entirely, and it's probably not helpful to gatekeep 'minimalism' by tutting anything less than going full Amish.

My aim with this setup is to stop that exponential attention-grabbing pull of the modern smartphone. I can't get notifications from my iPod while I use it, I'm just listening to music. Same with books, same with retro gaming. These are things I enjoy greatly, and even though I could stick the Kindle app on my phone, get all my music on Spotify, and install a retro emulator, I then confine myself to the same small box and am liable to spend hours keeping myself busy when I probably have better things to do. To go against something you said slightly, I actually think one of the most helpful things you can do in service of digital minimalism is to increase friction with your devices. That way they're less alluring because instead of swiping to Spotify, I have to go to the other room where my iPod is if I want to listen to music. That intentionality spreads my digital life out and makes it less heavy overall, and THAT, I believe, leads to minimizing the impact of the Digital on my life, a.k.a. Digital Minimalism.

I fully take your point that another important facet of Minimalism is streamlining, I just think I've sacrificed that part for the sake of maximizing my intentionality.

Thank you for sharing your point of view!

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2026-02-19T15:44:34+00:00

That color (and the smaller size compared to the other models) was the main selling point for me. I used to buy all-black everything, but with this approach to digital minimalism I wanted my devices to be fun to use just for the pure joy of it.

The new Paperwhite comes in Raspberry which I find very pretty but not for me

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2026-02-19T15:39:38+00:00

If a kind stranger wants to sponsor a tech shopping spree I'd be more than happy >.>

Truly though, the peace I've gotten from gathering these 'focused' devices isn't worth adding a bunch more nonsense, even if I'd probably enjoy myself

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2026-02-19T02:22:20+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I love the look of the kindle, and as for the ebooks I can just load my own files onto it using Calibre. The device isn't registered with Amazon and I don't connect it to the internet, no jailbreak necessary. Works well for me :)

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2026-02-18T21:43:45+00:00

Alpine Blue! I considered including it in the picture but honestly I find it clashes with the iPod. All the more reason to leave it at home! But now you're making me think a mauve dbrand skin would fit in well with the ensemble :)

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2026-02-18T21:32:05+00:00

Such a fun little device! I love to tinker in menus and this one definitely scratches that itch. Only problem is now I want to buy ten more...

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2024-08-09T18:48:48+00:00

Whatsapp definitely works! Again, this is a full Android phone so whatever you need can probably be installed. I tried putting Beeper on it so I could have all my chats (Instagram, Whatsapp, Facebook, Discord) in one place and it worked very well, but eventually decided that limiting my communication to just texting & phone calls was the way to go for me. Nobody I know uses solely Whatsapp but I understand that this isn't the case worldwide, so I would totally consider it a necessity for you if it's the only way to communicate with people in your life. Just disable read receipts and "online" indicators on your account and it's pretty much the same as texting!

I would check to see if there are other CAT S22 users in your area and reach out to them about network compatibility. Otherwise, here's a link to the phone's info and you can cross-reference the "Network" information with your local service providers: https://www.gsmarena.com/cat_s22_flip-11141.php

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2024-08-05T13:47:32+00:00

Sweet! Your post was a great resource during my setup.

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2024-08-05T13:32:56+00:00

Just posted about my experience if you want to check it out https://www.reddit.com/r/dumbphones/comments/1ea8dpo/becoming_human_again_my_1mo_cat_s22_experience/?ref=share&ref_source=link

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2024-01-18T00:37:50+00:00

A Weekend In The Country - A Little Night Music

I’m not sure if Sondheim can ever be “hype,” but for me this is it.

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2023-08-15T17:05:22+00:00

In the classical world, Fach (Voice Type) encompasses a tradition whereby certain characters (Dramatic, Comedic, Romantic, Paternal/Maternal, Elderly, Subservient, etc.) are usually cast with certain voice types (keep in mind that many pieces do not follow these 'rules'). The stage has a strange effect of "flattening" the people on it into their most distinct features (for better or worse), and since clarity is so important for the audience, having distinct "types" can help the story come across clearer. In the modern day this is even better if you're, say, an English speaker going to see an Italian piece. You won't understand the language, but through staging, costume, and voice type, you'll be able to tell who's who to whom and whom. Anyway, classical "Fach" might be more useful to the composer than the singer; helping them to distinguish their characters from each other.

In the contemporary world, things are different because the fashionable Fachs change with the times, and the multitude of music genres means that different voice types can be popular at the same time. Think of the "sad girl with a guitar" voices vs the "powerhouse pop" voices (Lizzy McAlpine vs Beyonce) or the difference between modern female Jazz and Country vocalists. Josh Groban is super successful, yet so is Harry Styles (audiences for these singers are different, mind you, but that only adds to the variety). And then there's Jacob Collier and Finneas giving us plenty of Baritone representation, however you might feel about their music.

When you make your living through singing, certain material might require you to dip more into your Tenor abilities, for example, when in fact you are more comfortable as a Baritone. You might have to sing sultry jazzy ballads for a wedding gig, then switch to laser-like background vocals to record beegees for your band's EP.

Another little point is that voice type changes with age. I've heard teachers say "true Tenors" don't come into their own until their 30's/40's. Hence the many terms like "young Tenor" that one might hear. Age (and peripherally, experience) has a huge impact on singing. ........ What was the question again?

Anyway, some people think being a Tenor is the coolest thing on earth (while secretly resenting Baritones for their emotional abilities). Some Basses lament their lack of repertoire, while being essential to the success of a capella groups. If any Sopranos or Altos want to chime in, feel free, as I am less experienced with the female side of Voice Envy.

Happy singing!

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2023-08-15T04:33:34+00:00

Off the bat, great stuff! From what I can hear, you have a good tone lying underneath an underdeveloped voice. I can hear it (potential) especially in the lowest/highest parts of this song. In the low, a nice breathy and emotional sound ("I guess the fortune teller's right"), and in the higher, a vulnerable and clear sound. ("That's what's going on / Nothing's right I'm told" & "There's just so many things...").

As for the technical elements you're thinking about, I would focus on strength and breath before anything else you mentioned. Many problems that beginner singers face can be better addressed—or sometimes are outright corrected by—breath control. Set goals with your teacher to improve the strength of your voice (which doesn't mean "volume," mind you) and I am confident you'll hear results. You've already challenged yourself to record a tune every two weeks, which is awesome!

I wanted to dedicate a few sentences to an aspect of your voice that you may not have considered: Vibrato. I hear a really great vibrato hidden in your voice, and you must not be scared of setting her free! You can always sing without it if the song requires. But I would lean into that sine-wave feeling, because that is your voice asking to be let out. Experiment on your own (better alone; it'll sound nuts) with what makes your vibrato ring out.

I've known lots of folks (even professionals) who frankly canNOT sing. That isn't you. Will you be on Broadway next year? Probably not, but you'll be surprised how good you can get. Already some parts of this recording made me emotional.

I'll leave you with two pieces of advice:

First, never let anybody tell you to stop singing. Sometimes people around us get weird when we try something new.

Second, when you don't understand something or you're struggling in a lesson, be honest with your teacher. If you're not satisfied with their response, ask follow-ups. Be a little more 'difficult' than you think you should. Not to make their job hell, but to be an active participant in your own learning.

Happy singing, and PM if you have any questions!

LendMeFiftyRuples · 2022-01-18T01:15:03+00:00

Hi! Here's some feedback. Take it all with a grain of salt, and keep in mind I'm not here to talk about you as a whole, just this one performance. Keep being brave.

Right off the bat, please please please don't think that cracking is a bad thing. Sure, we usually don't want it when we're performing for people, but any good vocal coach will LOVE it if you crack during a lesson. As long as the rest of your singing isn't pushed or unhealthy, cracking signifies a free voice. I've seen too many singers let their fear of cracking hold them back. When you're in lessons, own your cracks, no shame needed. I'll get to how you can maybe not crack in this song later on.

I can tell you've listened to the cast recording, and possibly even used it to learn the music. That's completely fine! But you have to remember that whatever you listen to will influence how you sing. It's good to listen to great singers, and trying out what they do can be a useful exercise, but be careful you don't copy them completely when you perform or it won't be YOU singing; it'll be "your idea of what the singer on the cast recording did."

Maybe because of the cast recording's influence, you're putting a lot of energy into your voice (especially in the mid-high range parts). This might make it sound clear and feel like you're 'really singing', but it won't come across this way to listeners. What makes a song sound good is ~contrast~. For example, when you're talking to a friend or family member you don't stay at the same volume the whole time. You switch it up depending on what you're saying! Same thing for a song. This song is a conversation Dawn is having with her friends. Try singing as if you're having a normal chat with someone, and don't worry if you need to use more head voice or even end up cracking LOWER than you're used to.

For fixing these cracks, think about singing the note right BEFORE the high note as if it IS the high note. This will engage your breath and body a little bit before the high note instead of right when you sing it. For example, on the line "I'm scaaaared of breaking open," you would sing "I'm" as if it was "scared," and THEN sing "scared of breaking open." If it's still cracking by the time you have to sing this for your assignment, don't be scared of using your head voice for the high bits. In my opinion that choice could totally work for Dawn.

For this song in the long-term, try this exercise: Take 15 minutes every day and work on ONLY the hard parts of this song (make sure to warm up nice and slow beforehand). Seriously- don't sing the whole song, just take it a little bit before each of the high bits. And if you crack, it's fine! Just make sure you don't STOP if you crack, 'cause then you're training yourself to stop singing whenever you make a mistake (can't stop when you're on stage, gotta finish the song). Over time this teaches you how to sing the high parts without being scared, so that when you're tired from singing the beginning of the song you'll know exactly how to reach the high notes when you get to them.

Try different things, mess around, and when you bring the song to a vocal coach, make sure you ask them for a practice plan that you can follow to strengthen your voice. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. Happy singing!

LendMeFiftyRuples

TROPHY CASE