How We Used To Talk
@howweusedtotalk.bsky.social
Artifacts of almost obsolete communication technology—mailboxes, home landlines, payphones—as launchpads for funny, poignant, and culturally rich discussions about where we're at right now.
Initially written weekly by me but any submissions welcome.
Initially written weekly by me but any submissions welcome.
We didn't always trust our neighbors with our correspondence. Our mail was segregated for a brief moment.
The efficiency of the newfound mailbox impact was felt, and some asshole said we should combine some together.
You can thank him the next time you awkwardly check your mail next to someone.
The efficiency of the newfound mailbox impact was felt, and some asshole said we should combine some together.
You can thank him the next time you awkwardly check your mail next to someone.
November 24, 2025 at 10:35 PM
We didn't always trust our neighbors with our correspondence. Our mail was segregated for a brief moment.
The efficiency of the newfound mailbox impact was felt, and some asshole said we should combine some together.
You can thank him the next time you awkwardly check your mail next to someone.
The efficiency of the newfound mailbox impact was felt, and some asshole said we should combine some together.
You can thank him the next time you awkwardly check your mail next to someone.
This artifact is the perfect metaphor for most of our holidays (and life?) now.
2 people standing next to each other in real life communicating with someone else located somewhere else entirely. This sad predicament we're in isn't new.
Put down the device and kindly look a neighbor in the eyes. Easy
2 people standing next to each other in real life communicating with someone else located somewhere else entirely. This sad predicament we're in isn't new.
Put down the device and kindly look a neighbor in the eyes. Easy
November 21, 2025 at 8:28 PM
This artifact is the perfect metaphor for most of our holidays (and life?) now.
2 people standing next to each other in real life communicating with someone else located somewhere else entirely. This sad predicament we're in isn't new.
Put down the device and kindly look a neighbor in the eyes. Easy
2 people standing next to each other in real life communicating with someone else located somewhere else entirely. This sad predicament we're in isn't new.
Put down the device and kindly look a neighbor in the eyes. Easy
Usually only one a week, but to celebrate week 1:
"If I've to explain what dial up is to you, then you're too young to date."- Uncle Roger/Nigel Ng
In all my years around people that were there for it, the hellscape of a sound that commences of an internet connection is apropos in retrospect.
"If I've to explain what dial up is to you, then you're too young to date."- Uncle Roger/Nigel Ng
In all my years around people that were there for it, the hellscape of a sound that commences of an internet connection is apropos in retrospect.
November 18, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Usually only one a week, but to celebrate week 1:
"If I've to explain what dial up is to you, then you're too young to date."- Uncle Roger/Nigel Ng
In all my years around people that were there for it, the hellscape of a sound that commences of an internet connection is apropos in retrospect.
"If I've to explain what dial up is to you, then you're too young to date."- Uncle Roger/Nigel Ng
In all my years around people that were there for it, the hellscape of a sound that commences of an internet connection is apropos in retrospect.
As one of the first table top phones, these were certainly an identity purchase.
These marked a shift of communication moving from the public to a more private interaction before eventually going public again.
This phone served more than a way to talk. It served as a social and practical anchor.
These marked a shift of communication moving from the public to a more private interaction before eventually going public again.
This phone served more than a way to talk. It served as a social and practical anchor.
November 18, 2025 at 7:02 PM
As one of the first table top phones, these were certainly an identity purchase.
These marked a shift of communication moving from the public to a more private interaction before eventually going public again.
This phone served more than a way to talk. It served as a social and practical anchor.
These marked a shift of communication moving from the public to a more private interaction before eventually going public again.
This phone served more than a way to talk. It served as a social and practical anchor.
Full details bout the pic always in the caption.
Chose to kick How We Used to Talk off with the tag photo cause I took this pic recently in the summer of 2025 in Porto, and the woman was clearly bewildered at what she called "this thing."
Told her "that thing" used to be our ride home for a quarter.
Chose to kick How We Used to Talk off with the tag photo cause I took this pic recently in the summer of 2025 in Porto, and the woman was clearly bewildered at what she called "this thing."
Told her "that thing" used to be our ride home for a quarter.
November 13, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Full details bout the pic always in the caption.
Chose to kick How We Used to Talk off with the tag photo cause I took this pic recently in the summer of 2025 in Porto, and the woman was clearly bewildered at what she called "this thing."
Told her "that thing" used to be our ride home for a quarter.
Chose to kick How We Used to Talk off with the tag photo cause I took this pic recently in the summer of 2025 in Porto, and the woman was clearly bewildered at what she called "this thing."
Told her "that thing" used to be our ride home for a quarter.