UPDATE: On the night of October 17, 2023, over 700 attendees flooded El Cid in Silver Lake for a groundbreaking no-phone Y2K throwback party, designed to reconnect people in real life. The event, spearheaded by local content creator Cat Goetze, aimed to encourage social interaction away from screens, marking a significant cultural shift in how we connect today.
In a bold move, Goetze invited participants to leave their phones outside. She proclaimed, “I wanted to find a way to get people off the feed and in real life.” Her inspiration stemmed from a startling statistic: only 4.1% of Americans attended a party on a typical weekend in 2023. This revelation compelled her to take action, resulting in the highly successful event.
Goetze, who produces content under the username @askcatgpt, announced the party just four days prior, raising questions about attendance. However, the turnout exceeded expectations, creating an electric atmosphere filled with nostalgia as guests danced to 2000s hits while embracing the theme in retro outfits.
Witnesses reported heartwarming moments, such as attendees exchanging contact information on napkins, a nostalgic nod to the pre-smartphone era. “It was just really cool to see so many people opt into the experience of putting their phone in their glove compartment,” Goetze shared.
With over 500,000 followers on TikTok, Goetze returned to social media last year after a five-year hiatus. Her mission emphasizes helping followers balance their technology use, stating, “We’ve got to get back out there and start talking to each other again because we’re not going to find connection on the apps.”
This no-phone party marks the beginning of what Goetze calls the “analog renaissance.” She believes that eliminating smartphones as a social crutch can help revive genuine connections among people. “If nothing else, this is a stepping stone,” she explained, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face interaction.
If you missed this transformative experience, don’t worry. Goetze promises more events are on the horizon, aiming to foster deeper connections in an increasingly digital world. Stay tuned for updates as she continues to lead the charge for a more connected, analog lifestyle.
As the social media landscape evolves, gatherings like Goetze’s no-phone party might just be the remedy for a society increasingly tethered to screens.