"Casual GIF Theory"

Been thinking about GIFs lately with all the recent articles (trying to get my thoughts in order before trying to express them). Seems to be happening to others as well. Namely, Tom Moody's discussion with John Michael Boling on the subtleties of the animated GIF, which has been missing in mainstream writing.

Is this the advent of GIF theory?

Dreaming About Real Life

I had a weird dream this morning about dump.

I was visiting home in Toronto and heard of a dump gathering in New York and decided to come along as it was (relatively) close by. The meet was not so much a social gathering but an internet cafe (or more like a school computer lab) full of dumpers dumping. You could get up and chat, or use a headset to join in live voice chat.

For some reason, I made myself a wig and beard (including uni-brow) out of pine needles. I took the brow and beard off pretty early on, though (it was very uncomfortable), and kept the wig.

I did end up chatting to a couple dumpers, mostly idle chit chat, nothing particularly interesting, and I can't remember what it was about. I finally took my "wig" off towards the end of the conversation — I showed it off, it was nice and soft, like a fleece cap.

There doesn't seem to be any point to it, but it was very vivid and the image of the pine face wig really stuck with me.

With all the recent IRL manifestations of dump — recent exhibitions, projects by other dumpers, and even a Secret Santa — participation (or lack thereof) has been at the forefront of my mind.

The internet allows for (a level of) anonymity and, with that, a lack of responsibility. Bringing it into real life takes away that security.

Could this dream just be an expression of my social-media-anxiety?

I thought I was being really clever, but then nobody faved it.

*edit* Sneaky Tripod place holders #imanoob

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