By Caleb Garcia | Photographer & Sam Gassaway | Photographer

By Sam Gassaway | Photographer, Caleb Garcia | Photographer & Alyssa Meyers | Photographer

Despite the addictive nature of phones, there is a solution to the ever-consuming algorithm — a better way to educate oneself, to engage in critical thought and expand one’s worldview. I propose returning to the original form of entertainment, the humble paperback book.

At the edge of a black hole, we will drag ourselves into a pit that we or our mockeries of creation will not escape. We will have given consciousness to something that cannot think, eyes to a being that will never truly see and a mouth to something that will never be able to scream.

If some of us can sit in a prayer tent and go to worship concerts three nights in a row, why can’t we put the same time into actually making a difference?

And when you look at these photos, those split second pieces of life, you began to notice the little things. Everything, from the biggest celebrations to the intimacy of a quiet conversation becomes so much more detailed. The joy of a sports victory, the emotion and passion behind a protester’s chant, the tears at the edge of someone’s eyes when they speak of someone — everything is more alive, more human.

Nonchalance is the enemy. It’s birthed out of fear or the assumption that another person might find us “weird” or too talkative. The effects of not opening up out of fear and losing meaningful connections are more harmful than coming off as “too much.”