For Your Ears Only

     If you've seen Perks of Being a Wallflower, chances are you thought those mixtapes Charlie made are cool as heck. Mixtapes have been around since the 60s but only became more common in the 80s. At that time cassette tapes were the thing, hence the name. With the introduction of CDs in the mid-90s and the availability of CD burners, it became easier for everyone to make their own mixtapes at home. Now, only a few people make actual, physical mix CDs/mixtapes because hello, Spotify playlists. Can we all just agree that this should be a thing again? Why? WHY?! Here's why:

1. IT'S UNIQUE

     Look, when someone puts together a compilation of songs that is essentially a compilation of their feelings towards you in music form, that's reason enough. The CD is for you, and for you only. No other collection of songs could work better together than the ones selected by the curator. Handpicked for your listening pleasure. 

2. IMAGINE THE EFFORT!

     Making a mix CD is harder than it seems. Looking for songs to put in the CD takes as much time as it does, for example, downloading 4 movies at the same time with really bad Internet connection. Also, if you think just putting the songs in a random order is good enough... well it is, but it's better to arrange them. Canvassing songs, arranging songs, burning songs into CD... it's so much work! The next time someone hands you a mix CD, know that it is special because of the time and effort it took to create it.

3. THE TANGIBILITY

     When you can't find the words to explain your feels you go, "there's a song for this kind of feel somewhere!!" And you found the song and it's perfect. So perfect you kind of feel like hugging it. But you can't because duh, it's something abstract. Putting it in a CD (a thing that is not abstract) indirectly satisfies that fantasy. The feeling of touch is a magical thing and if you can hold something special, that's some next-level stuff. 

4. THE SENTIMENTAL VALUE

     Pretty self-explanatory. Mix CDs that are given to you are one of those things that you can't seem to get rid of easily. Even if you and the person who gave it to you have already drifted apart, there will come a time where you will be cleaning your room and come across the CD, play it and... *cue nostalgia* "NOPE, I'M KEEPING THIS!" 

5. IT'S JUST REALLY CUTE OKAY

     Whoever the person may be, he/she was thinking of you while making the CD. The entire process of it. The idea that someone is reminded of you whenever a certain song is played is probably the sweetest thing. And when they make a whole collection of songs that remind you of them?! COOL. Another thing is it's a way of sharing the person's music taste with you. So in a sense you're getting to know them better, in the same manner they know you. 

     So please, people of the future, make this a thing again. There are so many songs out there that are yet to be discovered and shared to your loved ones. Broaden your music taste and make people happy by giving them, for once, something made by your own hands. 

- Ynna Vistan
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