HUMAN IS THE NEW VINYL
RESOURCES
From Human Is the New Vinyl · Chapter 10
MICAH VORARITSKUL
The Experience Guide
Equal parts cultural homework and evidence.
Proof that human creativity is everywhere, abundant, and alive.
Before you begin
In a world moving toward artificial everything, I want to overwhelm you with the richness of what humans make. It's equal parts cultural homework and evidence. Proof that human creativity isn't some fragile, endangered thing. It's everywhere, abundant, alive, and waiting to surprise you.
You don't need to try them all. Just pick a few that pique your curiosity. The point is to remember: we're not running out of human magic.
Some links have been updated from the print edition to reflect current URLs.
Experience the Electrifying
The Sphere, Las Vegas
If U2 is playing at The Sphere in Las Vegas, go. No hesitation. Their custom-built show helped launch the venue and redefine what live performance can be. If they're not, go anyway. Whatever's playing will be unforgettable. You can still check out the U2 experience online. See thesphere.com.
Taylor Swift
Catch Taylor Swift's next tour, even if you're not a Swifty. It'll sound amazing and feature spectacular stage design and effects. See taylorswift.com.
Live Comedy
Find a live stand-up comedy or improv show. You'll be amazed, or at least amused. See what's nearby on eventbrite.com.
Spoken Word · Poetry Slam
Find a spoken word or slam poetry night near you. Start with poets.org or search for "Poetry Slam Inc." People share the good, the raw, and everything in between.
Tiny Desk
Check out NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts, intimate, stripped-down performances by incredible artists. Start with T-Pain's set. It blew minds. See npr.org/series/tiny-desk-concerts.
SEE ART ON THE FRINGE
MoMA · Refik Anadol
Visit MoMA and experience Refik Anadol's immersive installation. If you can't go in person, explore it online. It's still incredible. Try moma.org or search "YouTube documentation of Unsupervised machine hallucinations MoMa."
Street Art
In most US cities, local artists turn walls into public canvases. Check out spots like Wynwood Walls in Miami or Five Points in Atlanta. See what's near you at streetartcities.com.
→ https://streetartcities.com/
Int'l Center of Photography
Explore photography from around the world through the International Center of Photography. They offer curated online exhibits, collections, interactive experiences, and educational resources. Visit icp.org/explore.
Bauhaus
The Bauhaus movement had a profound influence on the development of modern art and design. Learn more at the Bauhaus Archive Museum: bauhaus.de/en.
→ https://www.bauhaus.de/en/
You can also take a free Coursera course at coursera.org. Just search for "Bauhaus" or "history of graphic design."
Street Musicians · Buskers
And if you pass someone making music on a sidewalk, subway, or bridge, give them a twenty.
Saint Armand Paper Mill, Montreal
Celebrate the art of traditional bookbinding and paper-making. In Montreal, Saint Armand Paper Mill offers public demonstrations of handmade paper. Visit st-armand.esteemfoundation.org. Their website is wonky and wonderfully old-school, as it should be.
→ http://st-armand.esteemfoundation.org/
Etsy
Check out Etsy for handmade jewelry, pottery, and more, all crafted by independent creators. Save up for a one-of-a-kind. Visit etsy.com.
→ https://www.etsy.com/
SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISANS
Local Galleries
Discover what local art galleries are showcasing nearby, featuring original works by local artists. Stop by, even if you're not planning to make a purchase. Ask what's selling. Ask what's not selling but should be because it's incredible. Search "art galleries near me" on Google Maps or Yelp. Most galleries have rotating exhibits.
Gaziano & Girling
Or check out the custom shoe-making mastery of Gaziano & Girling in London at gazianogirling.com.
→ https://www.gazianogirling.com/
Ledbury
Explore bespoke, old-world tailoring, like Ledbury in Richmond, Virginia, which my friend Paul built. See ledbury.com.
→ https://www.ledbury.com/
GET FOODIE & DRINKIE
Wineries
If you imbibe, consider visiting a winery where you can see how the grapes are grown and learn about their vintages. Just search "wineries near me."
The Veil Brewing Co., Richmond
If you're in Richmond, VA, head to The Veil Brewery Co. and get whatever they're making. It's all small-batch and tastes like the weather. Stand in line. Say hi to my friend David. Become part of the cult following. See theveilbrewing.com.
→ https://www.theveilbrewing.com/
Borough Market, London
Visit the Borough Market in London, one of the world's oldest and most extensive food markets. See boroughmarket.org.uk.
→ https://boroughmarket.org.uk/
Alo Farms, Atlanta
Support the farm-to-table movement and local artisans, like Alo Farms in Atlanta. See alofarms.com.
→ https://www.alofarms.com/
Craftsy
Craftsy offers beginner-friendly courses and online videos in a wide range of needlecrafts. Visit craftsy.com. Or just search "crafts that wow" and have a go.
→ https://www.craftsy.com/
John C. Campbell Folk School
Attend a workshop at the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. They offer classes in traditional Appalachian crafts. Visit folkschool.org.
→ https://www.folkschool.org/
Int'l Printing Museum
Take a letterpress printing class at the International Printing Museum in Carson, California. Check out printmuseum.org.
→ https://www.printmuseum.org/
GET HANDSY
Wool and the Gang
Try your hand at knitting, crocheting, and other fiber arts. Wool and the Gang make pretty cool DIY kits. See woolandthegang.com.
→ https://www.woolandthegang.com/
Opera
Go to see an opera. Visit metopera.org. If you can't attend, consider purchasing an opera album, like the first-ever recording by Enrico Caruso.
→ https://www.metopera.org/
Vinyl
Do what I did recently: get yourself a decent, affordable record player. I found mine for about $70 on Amazon. Pick up two of your favorite albums. They're not cheap, but they're worth every penny. Digital is fine, but it's not the same. A fun goal: collect twenty albums you love. Not sure where to start? See my list of top-selling vinyl classics in Chapter 2. Still unsure? Start with Fleetwood Mac's Rumours.
The Moth
Go to a storytelling event. If you can't, check out The Moth Radio Hour on NPR. Some of these stories will make you laugh, cry, or both. They've also got a great podcast. Visit themoth.org.
→ https://themoth.org/
Limetown
Another standout audio drama, Limetown, from Two-Up Productions. Immersive storytelling at its best.
→ https://twoupproductions.com/
LET YOUR EARS WANDER
Welcome to Night Vale
Try audio dramas like Welcome to Night Vale. It's a highly regarded podcast. The voice acting and sound design are fantastic.
→ https://www.welcometonightvale.com/
GET WORDSY
Poetry Readings
Support people taking a brave and intimate step by reading poetry at the coffee shop. Google "poetry readings near me."
Book Clubs
Join or start a book club. Talk about real stories with real people. Most libraries or bookstores host regular gatherings.
Author Readings
Attend an author reading or signing. Bookstores and libraries frequently host these events. Stay for the Q&A. Often, that's the best part because you can learn how they think and write.
Literary Magazines
Explore literary magazines. Subscribe to those that feature both new and established voices. Medium.com is a great platform to discover a wide range of excellent writing about life, the universe, and everything. The New Yorker is always a solid bet, in print or online.
Coachella · Glastonbury · Bonnaroo
Take a road trip to Coachella, Glastonbury, or Bonnaroo. Just Google them. If you go, go all in. Buy the T-shirt.
GET FESTIVE
Sundance Film Festival
Attend the Sundance Film Festival in Utah (relocating to Colorado in 2027). See gritty films and meet the people who made them. If you can't, Google "indie film festivals near me." Make a day of it. See a few screenings. Visit sundance.org.
→ https://www.sundance.org/
American Craft Council
Check out the annual American Craft Council shows, held in cities across the US. Their big one is the American Craft Made Baltimore Marketplace. See craftcouncil.org.
→ https://craftcouncil.org/
Maker Faire
Maker Faire brings together creators, innovators, and DIY enthusiasts to share ideas and showcase amazing projects. It hosts numerous events, both in-person and online. See makerfaire.com.
→ https://makerfaire.com/
Broadway
If you're in New York or London, see a Broadway (or off-Broadway) show. Almost any hit production will blow your mind. You can score same-day discounted tickets at TKTS booths. But jump in line early. For showtimes, including revivals, visit broadway.com.
→ https://broadway.com/
New Orleans
New Orleans is the birthplace of Jazz, one of America's greatest art forms. Check out its music scene at neworleans.com/things-to-do/music.
→ https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/music/
EXPERIENCE THE ICONIC
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Check out the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for music history. If you're in Ohio, go in person. Otherwise, explore at rockhall.com.
→ https://rockhall.com/
National Gallery, London
If you want to see The Execution of Lady Jane Grey in person (from Chapter 6), visit the National Gallery in London or take the virtual tour at nationalgallery.org.uk. Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Botticelli, Titian, Turner, and others are there too.
→ https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/
Berlin Philharmonic
See a symphony. If you can't, stream a concert from the Berlin Philharmonic's digital hall: digitalconcerthall.com/en. Or search YouTube for "best symphony performances of all time."
→ https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en
The Louvre
Visit the Louvre in Paris. If you can't go in person, take the virtual tour at louvre.fr/en/online-tours. Try to decode Mona Lisa's facial expression, but don't ignore the rest: a staggering collection of human creativity and Renaissance masterpieces.
→ https://www.louvre.fr/en/online-tours
BECOME A SOJOURNER
Graceland
Graceland, Elvis Presley's home estate, includes the mansion and an entertainment complex packed with artifacts from his career, including cars, jumpsuits, and private jets. If you're near Memphis, go in person. Otherwise, explore at graceland.com.
→ https://www.graceland.com/
So, there's the call.
I hope you'll see these as more than actionable suggestions. They're reminders of the enduring goodness of human-made things. In a world increasingly shaped by AI, distinctly human contact points like these can help keep us grounded. I hope you try a few. Better yet, make your own list. See what stirs you.
From Human Is the New VinyL
MICAH VORARITSKUL
