Reality on Paper

The elusive paper-net

At this point in my life, I find myself continuously drawn into the digital world, spending far too much time in front of screens. I think many of us live with similar scenarios. I initiated the Imaginary Stations Pen Pal Club and the offline newsletter for a few reasons: 1) Develop a small network of ‘papernet’ connections via the post and 2) to have some fun. If I am being honest, the Pen Pal Club is also a method for me to spend a little less time behind computer and iPhone screens.

What is the papernet? All of the things we’ve left behind, like socks fallen behind the couch, old coins in the back of a disused drawer. Ancient newspapers yellowing in musty shoeboxes. Moss in the rough north bark of trees. Pine needle tea. How we used to view the stars before the glaze of city lights obscured the night sky. Tin can telephones and string. Our gadgets glow in the cobalt darkness, but radio signals and the postal service connect us all.

This zine is for those of us who want to balance the alternative reality/artificial intelligentsia haze with something we can touch. Old stamps. Ink pens. Typewriters. Hues of imagination.

Pen Pal info: The following members of the Imaginary Stations Pen Pal Club have agreed to share their addresses in hopes of receiving mail. I encourage folks to write one another letters of introduction, send cards, ephemera, recordings, photographs, stamps, whatever brightens the soul and makes a good mail day.

Radio—and the post—connects us all. For more information write to: Frederick Moe 40 Church Street Groveton NH 03582 or email imaginarystations@gmail.com.

The cost for the PenPal Club is $20 USD for your first year and includes at least two newsletters and up to three special mailing per year (special mailings = zines, ephemera, who knows?)