In the time of practically unlimited content at your fingertips all on one little device in your pocket, you might be surprised to learn that we’re seeing a resurgence of “old school” analog technology.
Analog technology simply refers to physical, tactile devices. Things you can hold, press, flip, or rewind, such as film cameras, vinyl records, landline phones, and even physical books.
With this resurgence, people aren’t turning away from new age devices; instead, they’re looking for experiences that feel more intentional and human, with a modern twist.
Rediscovering Analog Tech
As technology has become an integrated part of our day to day, more and more people are starting to experience digital fatigue. The always-on screens, pinging notifications, instant streaming, and endless scrolling can feel overwhelming.
Analog tech slows things down one record, one photo, or one chapter at a time.
When you play a vinyl record, for instance, there’s a sort of ritual to the practice. Instead of opening an app and hitting “play,” there’s intention behind the action. You first have to flip through your collection of physical disks. When you’ve selected what you want to listen to, you slide the disk from the sleeve and inspect it for any damages. You place it on the platter, set the speed, power it on, and gently place the needle before hearing the warm, dynamic sounds that a phone or external speaker can’t quite hit.
The physical buttons landline phone, the grain in a film photograph, the feel of a pen on paper, and the beauty of album art are all created with the purpose to experience the action rather than the convenience. In a sense, analog tech feels personal and human in a way digital often doesn’t.
It’s an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the moment, and more people are seeking that experience in their day to day.
Plus, physical media has a sense of trust and longevity that may not be found in digital pieces.
Physical disks don’t disappear behind a login or subscription. A book or record still works decades later without the need for paid updates or licensing renewals.
A Modern Twist to Old Tech
Our digital experiences aren’t going away, and we’re not stepping back into the past. In fact, today’s analog tech often relies on modern connectivity behind the scenes to succeed in a way that it hadn’t previously. Many, if not most, of the newer forms of “old-school” tech are made more convenient and more connected with today’s enhancements.
Film photos are scanned and shared online. Favorite new artists are discovered through streaming before a vinyl is purchased. Retro video games are being revived through online forums. All of these are shared and discovered through online communities. The resurgence is happening because of internet connectivity, not despite it.
Hobby photographers are seeking out film as a format for shooting photos with intention. Rather than snapping 15 photos and editing the perfect one later, film is limited and allows for fewer shots. That said, many of today’s modern film cameras also store digital versions on an SD card. Further, there are dozens of cameras on the market that shoot digital photos with a simulated film look to them, blending nostalgia with modern convenience. Instant cameras are also popular, and digital scanners make it easy to share film photos online.
Vinyl records are making a huge comeback as people seek the warmer sound of vinyl. Many also looking to own physical forms of their favorite artist’s work. In fact, in 2022, vinyl outsold CDs for the first time since 1987. This doesn’t mean listeners have to ditch the conveniences of modern music. Many of today’s turntables offer Bluetooth connectivity for external speakers for your curated morning playlists from your favorite streaming app.
Landline phones are also coming back as a backup form of communication. In the past several years, major cellular companies have experienced nationwide outages that drastically affected our ability to communicate. In rural areas where mobile coverage is still spotty, landline phones give residents access to essential emergency services. They’re still valued for reliability during weather events that cause power outages. And, as the physical delivery methods for communications are being updated from copper to fiber, the way landline services are being delivered is changing to internet-powered voice lines. There are even companies that sell landline-style phones with physical buttons that are powered by a WiFi connection!
As with vinyl records, more people are going back to purchasing other forms of physical media, like movies and books. When you purchase DVDs, Blu-ray, and printed books, you own the content for forever without worrying about licensing changes or disappearing titles. When you purchase a digital copy, more often than not, you’re purchasing a licensing agreement to access the media whenever you want, but you don’t own it. If the platform decides to remove the content from their library completely, you could lose access to it. Many people pair the convenience of streaming their favorite titles with purchasing a physical version, so they always have a backup at home but can still read, watch, or listen while on the go.
Reading as a hobby is rising in popularity as “BookTok” and “BookTube” (subsections of content on TikTok and YouTube, respectively) have grown. While printed books remain a popular form of consumption, the market shares of both eBooks and eReaders are continuing to trend upwards. With that increase, discovery has gone digital. Readers look online for their next reads, often in either the BookTok or BookTube communities or through forums like Goodreads. Most public libraries offer free access to eBook, libraries like Libby, with a library card. That’s not even touching on audiobooks as a form of reading, where the annual sales revenue has increased by over half in the last five years.
Technology always advancing, but that doesn’t mean that it must be “out with the old and in with the new.” Radio didn’t disappear when TV arrived, and print didn’t vanish with the internet. Similarly, analog tech isn’t a rejection of progress. Instead, we’ve found balance between physical and digital tools.
Technology Should Serve You
Fiber isn’t about faster scrolling. Reliable fiber internet, like that from Geneseo Communications, supports discovering new artists, learning new hobbies, and finding community in the things you love. Through all the evolutions of modern technology, the internet is what powers the connectivity that helps people discover new experiences.
The technology you use to enjoy life should feel useful, reliable, and human. Today’s analog resurgence shows that tech works best when it serves how people want to experience it, both online and off.