In '82 and '83, that was the rise of the VCR. Every Friday, my

In the course of history, every generation experiences a defining moment—a time when the world changes, when something so new, so disruptive, takes hold of the collective spirit that it transforms the very fabric of society. Colson Whitehead, in his reflection on the rise of the VCR, takes us back to the early '80s, a time when the world of entertainment was about to undergo a transformation. "In '82 and '83, that was the rise of the VCR. Every Friday, my brother and I would go to Crazy Eddie's—a video store in Manhattan—and rent five horror movies. And that's basically what we did, basically, for three years. Becoming social misfits." Through these words, Whitehead speaks to us of an era when technology and culture collided, creating something both revolutionary and isolating.

The VCR, that humble device, became a window to another world—a world of movies, a world of imagination, and in the case of Whitehead, a world of horror. Before this time, cinema was something you experienced in a theater, in the company of strangers, as part of a collective ritual. But with the advent of the VCR, the movie-going experience became something far more personal. The idea of watching films in the privacy of one’s own home was a liberation, a form of escape from the world outside. However, as Whitehead’s reflection suggests, it was also a retreat—a withdrawal into a space where the lines between entertainment and reality blurred. In their quest for the thrill of horror, he and his brother became isolated, stepping away from the bustling social world to dwell in a private realm of fear and fiction.

This retreat into the self—this choice to turn inward—is not new to humanity. There have been countless instances throughout history when the world offered something new and tempting, something that drew people away from the collective, from the shared rituals of society. Consider the ancient philosophers, who, in their search for truth, often withdrew into solitary contemplation, away from the noise of the world. While their isolation was motivated by the pursuit of wisdom, it was also a form of seclusion, a choice to step away from society’s distractions in order to seek clarity of thought. So too, the rise of the VCR, as Whitehead speaks of it, led to a kind of individualistic escape—a desire to withdraw into a world where the outside no longer had the same weight.

Yet, there is a lesson to be found in this retreat. Isolation, while it can lead to great personal discovery, can also come at a cost. Whitehead’s words, "becoming social misfits," serve as a warning to us all. In our pursuit of personal pleasure or individual satisfaction, we must be careful not to lose sight of the world around us. The experience of watching movies with his brother may have been an adventure in itself, but in the context of the greater society, it was a journey away from shared experience, from the community. In the end, the pursuit of private enjoyment can sometimes sever the ties that bind us to others.

This tale also reflects a universal truth: we are all, in some ways, shaped by the technologies and trends of our time. Technology provides us with the means to transcend the limitations of our physical world, but it can also entrap us in a world of our own making. The VCR allowed Whitehead and his brother to become masters of their own entertainment, to control when and how they experienced horror and thrills. Yet, in this control, they became isolated, choosing a form of enjoyment that was solitary, rather than shared. This echoes a story as old as time: the tension between the individual and the community, between the personal and the collective.

In the ancient world, epic heroes like Odysseus ventured far from their homes, seeking adventure, seeking glory, and yet they were always pulled back by the ties that bound them to their people. The great Homeric epics remind us that the hero’s journey is not just a solitary adventure, but a return—a return to family, to friends, to community. It is not the journey into isolation that defines the hero, but the journey out of it. And so, in the modern world, when technology offers us the illusion of independence, we must remember that connection to others is what gives meaning to our lives.

The lesson, then, is clear: seek balance in all things. Technology and innovation bring with them great opportunities, but they can also create barriers between us and the world. Like Whitehead, we may choose to immerse ourselves in the world of film, of technology, or of personal interests, but we must remember that the richness of life lies not just in solitary pleasures, but in shared experiences, in connection with others. Whether through a shared movie night or a moment of quiet reflection with a friend, community and connection are what keep us grounded.

So, as you move through the world, remember this: While the world of technology offers endless possibilities for personal pleasure and escape, it is the world of connection, of shared experiences, that gives life its deepest meaning. Do not be like the social misfit who retreats into solitude for too long, for in doing so, you may lose the very things that make life worth living: the relationships, the shared moments, and the bonds that define us as human. Let the VCR, and all the technologies that follow, be tools for connection, not isolation, and in this balance, you will find both freedom and fulfillment.