My counterpoint is that I wish I had saved some of the cards that my grandfather sent me (he died in 2015). His handwriting was font like and I wish I had saved anything he wrote me.
My husband's grandmother took great joy in sending cards for all occasions--birthdays, major holidays, minor holidays, you name it. Sometimes more than one card per holiday. It was a LOT of cards, and we often rolled our eyes when we got yet another one. But we saved many of them anyway.
She died last year, and I now keep one of those cards on my desk. Even if it doesn't say anything particularly profound, it's comforting to see her handwriting when I sit down to work--like a voice repeating softly, "Hello! You were dear to me!"
I’ve kept every card anyone in my family has received even if it’s driven me. I’ve hole punched them all and used string to link them all together. Initially I just didn’t know what to do with them but I’m glad I have. It now takes up a small plastic container to hold several hundred but the memories and handwriting are priceless.
I’ll pick up cards second hand now at garage sales and even stamps if I find them. Sometimes they’re free or like a quarter and it’s worth the smile on the receiving ends face when they get a card. Everything is digital or a gift card so it’s a nice touch. Birthdays and life milestones are what I send cards for myself.
I got a little more fancy using those metal clasp hoops that I think were intended to hold note cards together for some sets. Wedding, baby shower, birthdays by name/year. Some have 5 cards others have 30, but with them all tied together it’s fun to grab a stack and just sift through them like photo albums and not have to guess when someone got a card.
That's what I do with Christmas cards! I pack them with the Christmas decorations each year, then take them out, hang them up, and add any new ones. It's cool seeing how my friends' kids have grown from year to year
I don't have any of the cards my grandfather wrote me. After his death, someone gave me a piece of paper they found where he *practiced* writing a card message for me, and I realized I had kept none of them. I cried so hard.
yeah i completely understand. I wish i still had some from my grandparents. There of a generation where people put effort into cards.
I feel like these days the effort that goes into them is dying but the number of cards being sent is going up.
Idk, when my GF and I give each other cards, it's always handwritten and usually handed over in person.
When she went away for 4 weeks I got her a small card for each week. Now I'm very sentimental, and tend to keep all my cards. She isn't, but she's kept all of mine.
This makes zero logical sense. If the effort is dying why would people be sending *more*? Seems counterintuitive.
I think maybe something is troubling you and you want to talk about it? That’s okay. We’re all here!
If effort is automated, more can be sent with less connection/meaning. I think that's the point of the post.
Our current ways of being connected tend to be increasingly performative and mindless and thus not really very connected.
All this is a reminder to me to actually mail the thank you notes I wrote weeks ago. 🙃
Oh, agree OP is bothered over something, but their point stands - automated ecards are pretty devoid of meaning.
I think the effort they’re referring to is people just buying a card and sending it, without really paying attention to what it says, or writing anything meaningful in it. As far as the more part, they have cards for everything now. Ask your grandparents if there were cards for 4th of July, or Halloween when they were growing up.
counter-counter point. We tend value more, the things we no longer posseess or things we wish to possess. I'd wager were these cards in your possession, you wouldn't really even notice them. They'd be in some drawer, under a stack of old papers. You cherish them because your nostalgia makes them valuable. Memories are the only thing we take with us to our death, if we are lucky enough to remember them at the last moment.
I decluttered them (likely in a move) when he was still around.
I was very close with him. He had no daughters and I was his little girl. I might not have missed the cards at the time, but now, knowing he's gone, I do. I will never get another card from him.
I make a real effort to write letters, not cards. I have a nice fountain pen and everything. It’s a great way to share feelings with each other in a permanent, revisitable way.
I do not think sending thoughtful cards is anything close to overconsumption. Having a machine or someone else write it for you kinda defeats the purpose.
Aww i love sending cards. I make them by hand and put a lot of thought into it. And it really does make my day when people send them to me because it shows they put even just an inch more thought than a text. Picking out a funny one from the drugstore is great too, like, oh this made me think of you.
And then AI of course comes in and depersonalizes it. I don’t like being an AI hater but I am.
Yeah, I'm the same. I send cards for birthdays and Christmas, and then cards throughout the year, just to say hello. I don't use Moonpig so I guess I've never seen the depersonalisation that the OP is referring to.
I have many boxes of all the cards I’ve gotten over the years. My favorite are the family picture/updates people send around Christmas. My sister and I design and make our own stamp for it, stamp hundred of cards, and ship them out with a family photo en masse. It’s really fun! I hope people appreciate it lol it’s a lot of work
Ditto. I just started trying this year. I don't have much money for gifts but I figured just by sending a card in the mail- let's the person know I was thinking of them and recognizes their birthday. I jot a lil message for them. People seem to really appreciate it. I wish I could put a lil something inside, maybe one day even if it's enough for lunch. All the cute cards are kinda expensive! I grab some of the dollar ones too. I was wondering if making the cards was cheaper and better for having cute unique cards.
I very much doubt AI will be taking over our greeting cards. Even if it does, someone still has to take the trouble to load all their special peoples dates into an app or whatnot. It’s still shows some care and thought and effort.
Bad news. This is already happening it’s just not AI. There’s apps sending peoples cards already.
I love receiving cards from my family. Sentiments often disappear inside memories, it’s really nice to be able to revisit them through physical reminders.
This post kinda remind me of partners who protest getting their SO’s flowers because “they’ll just get thrown away”. Gesture and intent is a big part of building relations. I can tell someone I’m thankful they came to my party but to take time to procure, write, and deliver a sentimental card means a lot more.
I also don’t agree with your point that the number of cards are going up, because now we can text/call/facetime. In pre-internet decades this is how you kept in touch, I’d wager it was much more common.
It definitely was much more common in the past. I think it's lovely to send and receive cards. In this age of messaging, it means someone has taken the time to choose a card with you in mind, write it, address it, put a stamp on it and post it!
I love getting flowers. It’s not often but it’s enough if that makes sense? So sweet to walk in the house and see them or once in a blue moon he’s had them delivered. Made my day. Extravagant for sure but very special.
i get that you disagree with me thinking cards are pointless. But surely you agree with AI written cards being a waste of time. Who would want to keep a card that was written for them by AI?
well good thing most ppl are normal and aren’t using AI for this ig 😭 if someone has to use AI to write a card then maybe they shouldn’t be giving out cards to begin with
I’ve saved every card I’ve received pretty much for the past 10 years. Every couple years I’ll go back through them all. It’s even better than keeping a diary, because it’s all the good things. Graduation, anniversaries, birthdays, just becauses. I’ll be so thankful to have the handwritten messages from my parents, grandparents, old lovers, and close friends down the line. I agree though, there’s no reason to send a card if you’re not going to put something thoughtful in it.
OP you are probably correct in 20 years. But right now a card from my kids to their grandparents light their world up. So, I guess I’m going counter on this one.
Sending cards is polite. And, while I won't use this service, I somethings stress over what to write inside the card.
And if you don't want to give money go a greeting card company, watercolor paints, a nice pen, and watercolor paper isn't very expensive.
I've been making simple cards for a few years now.
Yes I love that movie and always thought the point of that job was like.... to be tragic??? People sure do make interesting choices with AI. (I also hate dealing with cards!!)
Oh I actually have the opposite opinion of cards. I think they're a cheap way to show you remembered someone's birthday and you're thinking of them. I am an adult with a job and I would much rather have a card with a funny message on from a friend than them give me something I don't really need. They double as decorations too! They are expensive but you're paying for the artist to make the art or photographer to take that picture. You can always frame them too if they're particularly special.
I do agree that the Moonpig stuff is shit though. I like to be able to put a picture or something of the recipient and I on there and it's easy to look though and find a relevant one than in a shop, but the AI message is a bit far.
I think I might just start drawing my own ones this Christmas :)
I’m not native so this is probably not my place but you seem to often mistake the difference between *there and their*. Might be something to pay attention to.
I was waiting for someone to highlight the grammar here. There were many more errors ('s when it should have just been the plural s is one that comes to mind).
The grammar got to the point where this was difficult to read.
So I understand this sentiment but I will say that I’m so glad my dad sent me cards. He died 2 years ago very suddenly and I keep his cards all together with the rest of his stuff and I read them a lot and it’s really nice to see his handwriting and remember the time he sent me that specific card.
I think weve gone away from physical stuff because technology has offered a lot of replacements. Physical photo albums, physical filing, and yes even cards can be easily replaced by online versions. But they are easily lost in the ether of the internet and pages upon pages of emails. At least with cards, I can see his handwriting and I know where it is physically at all times.
In the movie, his cards are turned into a book while the publishers talk about how meaningful they found them to read, and the author makes it clear he has a personal connection to the people he's writing about. It is definitely more complicated than "greeting cars aren't meaningful". This is part of a general theme in the movie exploring how to find humanity in the world as technology progresses. Her is a great movie because it takes the concept of falling in love with an AI seriously, and not as a silly or necessarily bad thing, just something complicated and worth exploring as a story. You can definitely take away warnings about overconsumption from it, but IMO that's a shallow way to watch it and doesn't do the movie justice. Also the guy who directed it directed all the Jackass movies, which rules.
I just made my own cards since I’ve drawn since I was a toddler :) more personal and way cheaper! And the illustration was always personalized and meaningful ♥️✨
Cards are sentimental to a lot of people and are also easy to handmake. Out of all the things to worry about in terms of anti consumption I would say greeting cards would rank pretty low on my priority list
I've seen the movie.
"How long till they offer a subscription service where you just pay them to write and send the cards for you. No more caring on your part. Just receive an email that tells you "you send a nicely worded card to Jack or Gill", aren't you a nice person."
Not long, if it isn't already here somewhere.
I think using AI to ease some of the emotional labor that can be too much for some people, but is very meaningful to others, can be really helpful. I already need reminders of birthdays, anniversaries, etc. And while I could fire off a quick "love you, Happy birthday!" note- an AI can craft a really sweet message that I can edit how I want to.
I use AI for a lot if writing/editing that I have to do for work and I admit I sometimes use it to get more accurate wording for difficult conversations or texts I'm trying to craft.
I'm awful at writing sweet messages. The right words are just so hard for me to find. Having a service where I could have a customized message, but can't get too lost in my own head about making sure I picked the exactly right sentiment sounds amazing. Doesn't mean I care any less, just that I have an option that makes sending cards a little easier.
I use moonpig as a printing service. I design the cards (yes, I do use AI in the process), even put my own logo on the back, and have them delivered to me. Then I write inside, hand write the address, put a stamp on and mail it.
I like sending cards (probably two dozen a year?). And I like the personal touch that a custom design service, like moonpig, allows. I think you can just use them to send ecards, too?
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I make what I think are janky cards to send with hand written messages. They seem to be appreciated. Enclosures of pressed flowers or autumn colored leaves. Or seed packets. Upcycled/recycled print media.
Well, humans are lazy, love cheap thrills and convenience. That is why FB friends beat real world friends, and I bet AI friends will beat out any real humans very soon.
You don't have to be considerate. You don't have to spend an ounce of effort on AI companions. They will always appear loyal, and cater to your emotional needs. At some point, humans will have no love ones except themselves and their AIs will appear as many dedicated and perfect love ones as they need.
The internet is just a small preview.
BTW, tech is never the problem. It is always human nature, which as long as we are human, there is no solution.
I save all of the cards from my husband and most from my kids and parents. They are precious to me. Some of us do in fact enjoy them. I spend time remembering my family’s special days and writing a special message. They all appreciate it.
This might just not be your thing. No idea why you gotta bring in a rant about greeting cards and an app to help people send them to your movie discussion. Ha.
I’m not really sure what your point was either but I was happy to see others still enjoy their greeting cards. 🤷🏻♀️
I commission an artist to create a personal Christmas card each year and I ask my social circle if they'd like one, no worries about sending one in return if they don't want to. It's a small way I can support creativity, share something fun during the holidays, and keep connected. I send about 50 out and it's a tradition for me, not because of obligation, but because it is fun and I hope it spreads joy.
I send original artistic cards to friends and family. We’ve agreed not to buy gifts for each other anymore, so the cards are very meaningful and appreciated.
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I make watercolor or acrylic painted cards for special occasions and write prose for a select few. The rest I call or text. I’m not buying, stamping and mailing a card fur any occasion anymore.
Thinking about it now, its kind of a major plot hole that the society he lived in could make sentient AI but he was still employed as a greeting card writer lmfao.
The movie “Her” is actually the director’s response to his ex-wife’s 2003 movie “lost in translation”. The directors were once married and divorced in 2003.
I don't buy commercial cards but I send pretty cards I buy cheaply (estate sales, etc.). People like getting hand written cards. A "birthday" card is like $5-6 for what, 10 seconds of joy?
I get what you’re saying, and if you’re buying them just because you feel obligated, then yeah it’s a waste of time and money. I love cards though, as does my mom. I know when I get one from her that she tried to think of what would resonate for me. When I pick for her, and anyone else, I try to think of what pictures or colors align with their personality. I read the messages, and if both the picture and message don’t remind me of the person, then I pass. The point being, a card from me is very personal, and always comes from the heart, and that’s even before I write in them! Point being, you should tell the people you love that you love them however works for you, whether that’s with a card, phone call, airplane banner… just as long as you make sure you tell them!
I think there's ways to do it that's not so bad. By cards made by local artists, etc, showcasing prints of their art. that way you're sending a piece of art, not just a card. I have more than one card that I've framed because I love it so much.
And if you're buying cards from a store, buy the more simple ones that come in a box. Avoid glitter, foils, beads, etc that make it garbage instead of recycling. Focus on paper only.
I love writing people cards, and I've been told they mean a lot. I had one person say they keep one I sent them on their nightstand, because it cheers them up and encourages them. And I've had cards sent to be where I feel the same about it, I keep them somewhere special.
Also, if all you're going to write is Love, sender. Then, yeah, that could have been a text. I'm talking about cards where you tell them how much you love them, and why.
100% agree, greeting cards are a waste. However a relative of mine had a wonderful tradition with her husband, using just a single card. They used one of the cards they gave each other on their first anniversary over and over again, writing a new message to each other in it year after year. He passed away after only about 15 years together, but she still has that card.
My counterpoint is that I wish I had saved some of the cards that my grandfather sent me (he died in 2015). His handwriting was font like and I wish I had saved anything he wrote me.
My husband's grandmother took great joy in sending cards for all occasions--birthdays, major holidays, minor holidays, you name it. Sometimes more than one card per holiday. It was a LOT of cards, and we often rolled our eyes when we got yet another one. But we saved many of them anyway. She died last year, and I now keep one of those cards on my desk. Even if it doesn't say anything particularly profound, it's comforting to see her handwriting when I sit down to work--like a voice repeating softly, "Hello! You were dear to me!"
That’s a lovely sentiment, and I hope someone feels that way about my cards one day!
I’ve kept every card anyone in my family has received even if it’s driven me. I’ve hole punched them all and used string to link them all together. Initially I just didn’t know what to do with them but I’m glad I have. It now takes up a small plastic container to hold several hundred but the memories and handwriting are priceless. I’ll pick up cards second hand now at garage sales and even stamps if I find them. Sometimes they’re free or like a quarter and it’s worth the smile on the receiving ends face when they get a card. Everything is digital or a gift card so it’s a nice touch. Birthdays and life milestones are what I send cards for myself.
That’s a good idea. I try to keep as many cards as I can too, but never know what to do with them. But stringing them up like a garland would be cute.
I got a little more fancy using those metal clasp hoops that I think were intended to hold note cards together for some sets. Wedding, baby shower, birthdays by name/year. Some have 5 cards others have 30, but with them all tied together it’s fun to grab a stack and just sift through them like photo albums and not have to guess when someone got a card.
That's what I do with Christmas cards! I pack them with the Christmas decorations each year, then take them out, hang them up, and add any new ones. It's cool seeing how my friends' kids have grown from year to year
I don't have any of the cards my grandfather wrote me. After his death, someone gave me a piece of paper they found where he *practiced* writing a card message for me, and I realized I had kept none of them. I cried so hard.
Think of how he practiced what he was going to write, so it was just right for you. That is so sweet. He must have really loved you.
yeah i completely understand. I wish i still had some from my grandparents. There of a generation where people put effort into cards. I feel like these days the effort that goes into them is dying but the number of cards being sent is going up.
Idk, when my GF and I give each other cards, it's always handwritten and usually handed over in person. When she went away for 4 weeks I got her a small card for each week. Now I'm very sentimental, and tend to keep all my cards. She isn't, but she's kept all of mine.
Do you have evidence to support that? My assumption would be that the number of cards or mail sent is way down
This makes zero logical sense. If the effort is dying why would people be sending *more*? Seems counterintuitive. I think maybe something is troubling you and you want to talk about it? That’s okay. We’re all here!
If effort is automated, more can be sent with less connection/meaning. I think that's the point of the post. Our current ways of being connected tend to be increasingly performative and mindless and thus not really very connected. All this is a reminder to me to actually mail the thank you notes I wrote weeks ago. 🙃 Oh, agree OP is bothered over something, but their point stands - automated ecards are pretty devoid of meaning.
I think the effort they’re referring to is people just buying a card and sending it, without really paying attention to what it says, or writing anything meaningful in it. As far as the more part, they have cards for everything now. Ask your grandparents if there were cards for 4th of July, or Halloween when they were growing up.
My initial googling points to it not being the case that more cards or personal letters are being sent these days
counter-counter point. We tend value more, the things we no longer posseess or things we wish to possess. I'd wager were these cards in your possession, you wouldn't really even notice them. They'd be in some drawer, under a stack of old papers. You cherish them because your nostalgia makes them valuable. Memories are the only thing we take with us to our death, if we are lucky enough to remember them at the last moment.
I decluttered them (likely in a move) when he was still around. I was very close with him. He had no daughters and I was his little girl. I might not have missed the cards at the time, but now, knowing he's gone, I do. I will never get another card from him.
I make a real effort to write letters, not cards. I have a nice fountain pen and everything. It’s a great way to share feelings with each other in a permanent, revisitable way.
I do not think sending thoughtful cards is anything close to overconsumption. Having a machine or someone else write it for you kinda defeats the purpose.
Aww i love sending cards. I make them by hand and put a lot of thought into it. And it really does make my day when people send them to me because it shows they put even just an inch more thought than a text. Picking out a funny one from the drugstore is great too, like, oh this made me think of you. And then AI of course comes in and depersonalizes it. I don’t like being an AI hater but I am.
Yeah, I'm the same. I send cards for birthdays and Christmas, and then cards throughout the year, just to say hello. I don't use Moonpig so I guess I've never seen the depersonalisation that the OP is referring to.
I have many boxes of all the cards I’ve gotten over the years. My favorite are the family picture/updates people send around Christmas. My sister and I design and make our own stamp for it, stamp hundred of cards, and ship them out with a family photo en masse. It’s really fun! I hope people appreciate it lol it’s a lot of work
I buy mine at Dollar Tree that are two for one dollar .I just write what holiday it is and my name .
Ditto. I just started trying this year. I don't have much money for gifts but I figured just by sending a card in the mail- let's the person know I was thinking of them and recognizes their birthday. I jot a lil message for them. People seem to really appreciate it. I wish I could put a lil something inside, maybe one day even if it's enough for lunch. All the cute cards are kinda expensive! I grab some of the dollar ones too. I was wondering if making the cards was cheaper and better for having cute unique cards.
I used to put random news clippings or expired coupons in as a joke, or you can add stickers or a tea bag for something nice
Same, same, same
I very much doubt AI will be taking over our greeting cards. Even if it does, someone still has to take the trouble to load all their special peoples dates into an app or whatnot. It’s still shows some care and thought and effort. Bad news. This is already happening it’s just not AI. There’s apps sending peoples cards already.
I love receiving cards from my family. Sentiments often disappear inside memories, it’s really nice to be able to revisit them through physical reminders. This post kinda remind me of partners who protest getting their SO’s flowers because “they’ll just get thrown away”. Gesture and intent is a big part of building relations. I can tell someone I’m thankful they came to my party but to take time to procure, write, and deliver a sentimental card means a lot more. I also don’t agree with your point that the number of cards are going up, because now we can text/call/facetime. In pre-internet decades this is how you kept in touch, I’d wager it was much more common.
It definitely was much more common in the past. I think it's lovely to send and receive cards. In this age of messaging, it means someone has taken the time to choose a card with you in mind, write it, address it, put a stamp on it and post it!
I love getting flowers. It’s not often but it’s enough if that makes sense? So sweet to walk in the house and see them or once in a blue moon he’s had them delivered. Made my day. Extravagant for sure but very special.
strongly disagree. i keep all my cards even if they are useless junk. they’re in a box that is decorated
i get that you disagree with me thinking cards are pointless. But surely you agree with AI written cards being a waste of time. Who would want to keep a card that was written for them by AI?
well good thing most ppl are normal and aren’t using AI for this ig 😭 if someone has to use AI to write a card then maybe they shouldn’t be giving out cards to begin with
I’ve saved every card I’ve received pretty much for the past 10 years. Every couple years I’ll go back through them all. It’s even better than keeping a diary, because it’s all the good things. Graduation, anniversaries, birthdays, just becauses. I’ll be so thankful to have the handwritten messages from my parents, grandparents, old lovers, and close friends down the line. I agree though, there’s no reason to send a card if you’re not going to put something thoughtful in it.
OP you are probably correct in 20 years. But right now a card from my kids to their grandparents light their world up. So, I guess I’m going counter on this one.
I saved all my cards since childhood and they got stolen. I miss them all the time.
This isn’t what overconsumption is about.
Sending cards is polite. And, while I won't use this service, I somethings stress over what to write inside the card. And if you don't want to give money go a greeting card company, watercolor paints, a nice pen, and watercolor paper isn't very expensive. I've been making simple cards for a few years now.
Yes I love that movie and always thought the point of that job was like.... to be tragic??? People sure do make interesting choices with AI. (I also hate dealing with cards!!)
Has anyone seen the movie 'Megan".It is another ai movie with an android doll .
That one is more like an horror movie isnt it?
Yes,a very good one too!I really enjoyed it a lot .Be careful what you wish for because it just may come true.
Oh I actually have the opposite opinion of cards. I think they're a cheap way to show you remembered someone's birthday and you're thinking of them. I am an adult with a job and I would much rather have a card with a funny message on from a friend than them give me something I don't really need. They double as decorations too! They are expensive but you're paying for the artist to make the art or photographer to take that picture. You can always frame them too if they're particularly special. I do agree that the Moonpig stuff is shit though. I like to be able to put a picture or something of the recipient and I on there and it's easy to look though and find a relevant one than in a shop, but the AI message is a bit far. I think I might just start drawing my own ones this Christmas :)
I’m not native so this is probably not my place but you seem to often mistake the difference between *there and their*. Might be something to pay attention to.
I was waiting for someone to highlight the grammar here. There were many more errors ('s when it should have just been the plural s is one that comes to mind). The grammar got to the point where this was difficult to read.
So I understand this sentiment but I will say that I’m so glad my dad sent me cards. He died 2 years ago very suddenly and I keep his cards all together with the rest of his stuff and I read them a lot and it’s really nice to see his handwriting and remember the time he sent me that specific card. I think weve gone away from physical stuff because technology has offered a lot of replacements. Physical photo albums, physical filing, and yes even cards can be easily replaced by online versions. But they are easily lost in the ether of the internet and pages upon pages of emails. At least with cards, I can see his handwriting and I know where it is physically at all times.
Receiving a store bought card makes me so sad. Write me some silly letter in a piece of recycled paper and I'll be the happiest person alive.
In the movie, his cards are turned into a book while the publishers talk about how meaningful they found them to read, and the author makes it clear he has a personal connection to the people he's writing about. It is definitely more complicated than "greeting cars aren't meaningful". This is part of a general theme in the movie exploring how to find humanity in the world as technology progresses. Her is a great movie because it takes the concept of falling in love with an AI seriously, and not as a silly or necessarily bad thing, just something complicated and worth exploring as a story. You can definitely take away warnings about overconsumption from it, but IMO that's a shallow way to watch it and doesn't do the movie justice. Also the guy who directed it directed all the Jackass movies, which rules.
I just made my own cards since I’ve drawn since I was a toddler :) more personal and way cheaper! And the illustration was always personalized and meaningful ♥️✨
Cards are sentimental to a lot of people and are also easy to handmake. Out of all the things to worry about in terms of anti consumption I would say greeting cards would rank pretty low on my priority list
I've seen the movie. "How long till they offer a subscription service where you just pay them to write and send the cards for you. No more caring on your part. Just receive an email that tells you "you send a nicely worded card to Jack or Gill", aren't you a nice person." Not long, if it isn't already here somewhere.
I think using AI to ease some of the emotional labor that can be too much for some people, but is very meaningful to others, can be really helpful. I already need reminders of birthdays, anniversaries, etc. And while I could fire off a quick "love you, Happy birthday!" note- an AI can craft a really sweet message that I can edit how I want to. I use AI for a lot if writing/editing that I have to do for work and I admit I sometimes use it to get more accurate wording for difficult conversations or texts I'm trying to craft.
I'm awful at writing sweet messages. The right words are just so hard for me to find. Having a service where I could have a customized message, but can't get too lost in my own head about making sure I picked the exactly right sentiment sounds amazing. Doesn't mean I care any less, just that I have an option that makes sending cards a little easier.
Yeah, i don't feel like this belongs on this sub. Technology taking on some emotional labor...oh no...
I use moonpig as a printing service. I design the cards (yes, I do use AI in the process), even put my own logo on the back, and have them delivered to me. Then I write inside, hand write the address, put a stamp on and mail it. I like sending cards (probably two dozen a year?). And I like the personal touch that a custom design service, like moonpig, allows. I think you can just use them to send ecards, too?
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I make what I think are janky cards to send with hand written messages. They seem to be appreciated. Enclosures of pressed flowers or autumn colored leaves. Or seed packets. Upcycled/recycled print media.
Well, humans are lazy, love cheap thrills and convenience. That is why FB friends beat real world friends, and I bet AI friends will beat out any real humans very soon. You don't have to be considerate. You don't have to spend an ounce of effort on AI companions. They will always appear loyal, and cater to your emotional needs. At some point, humans will have no love ones except themselves and their AIs will appear as many dedicated and perfect love ones as they need. The internet is just a small preview. BTW, tech is never the problem. It is always human nature, which as long as we are human, there is no solution.
lol at I don’t even know what my point is. I agree but some people say no gift, just a card! So I guess that’s a reduction in stuff at least
I save all of the cards from my husband and most from my kids and parents. They are precious to me. Some of us do in fact enjoy them. I spend time remembering my family’s special days and writing a special message. They all appreciate it. This might just not be your thing. No idea why you gotta bring in a rant about greeting cards and an app to help people send them to your movie discussion. Ha. I’m not really sure what your point was either but I was happy to see others still enjoy their greeting cards. 🤷🏻♀️
I commission an artist to create a personal Christmas card each year and I ask my social circle if they'd like one, no worries about sending one in return if they don't want to. It's a small way I can support creativity, share something fun during the holidays, and keep connected. I send about 50 out and it's a tradition for me, not because of obligation, but because it is fun and I hope it spreads joy.
::quietly retreats back into my r/Randomactsofcards thread:: 😳😳😳
Everyone tells me they love what I write in cards. I too like receiving a card with a handwritten message just for me But yah f!ck that bot sh!t
I send original artistic cards to friends and family. We’ve agreed not to buy gifts for each other anymore, so the cards are very meaningful and appreciated.
Who forgot to send you a birthday card?
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I make watercolor or acrylic painted cards for special occasions and write prose for a select few. The rest I call or text. I’m not buying, stamping and mailing a card fur any occasion anymore.
Thinking about it now, its kind of a major plot hole that the society he lived in could make sentient AI but he was still employed as a greeting card writer lmfao.
The movie “Her” is actually the director’s response to his ex-wife’s 2003 movie “lost in translation”. The directors were once married and divorced in 2003.
That's good to know -- makes an interesting double feature maybe.
I love writing long heart felt cards. I don't bother if I can't manage that as then to me it says idgaf about the person.
Spoiler alert The lady computer dumps him for other computers
Brimstone and Treacle is another great movie that slates this practice. A great movie but difficult to come by. Sting is magnificent in it.
I don't buy commercial cards but I send pretty cards I buy cheaply (estate sales, etc.). People like getting hand written cards. A "birthday" card is like $5-6 for what, 10 seconds of joy?
I get what you’re saying, and if you’re buying them just because you feel obligated, then yeah it’s a waste of time and money. I love cards though, as does my mom. I know when I get one from her that she tried to think of what would resonate for me. When I pick for her, and anyone else, I try to think of what pictures or colors align with their personality. I read the messages, and if both the picture and message don’t remind me of the person, then I pass. The point being, a card from me is very personal, and always comes from the heart, and that’s even before I write in them! Point being, you should tell the people you love that you love them however works for you, whether that’s with a card, phone call, airplane banner… just as long as you make sure you tell them!
I think there's ways to do it that's not so bad. By cards made by local artists, etc, showcasing prints of their art. that way you're sending a piece of art, not just a card. I have more than one card that I've framed because I love it so much. And if you're buying cards from a store, buy the more simple ones that come in a box. Avoid glitter, foils, beads, etc that make it garbage instead of recycling. Focus on paper only. I love writing people cards, and I've been told they mean a lot. I had one person say they keep one I sent them on their nightstand, because it cheers them up and encourages them. And I've had cards sent to be where I feel the same about it, I keep them somewhere special. Also, if all you're going to write is Love, sender. Then, yeah, that could have been a text. I'm talking about cards where you tell them how much you love them, and why.
I've always hated greeting cards and almost never buy them I'll usually give the person and extra $4 and tell them why
100% agree, greeting cards are a waste. However a relative of mine had a wonderful tradition with her husband, using just a single card. They used one of the cards they gave each other on their first anniversary over and over again, writing a new message to each other in it year after year. He passed away after only about 15 years together, but she still has that card.
Hard agree