This system has helped people for decades
Some 15 years ago, it seemed like everything analog was on its way out. Fast-forward to the 2020s and here we are in the middle of an analog tech resurgence. Have we reached peak digital? It appears a natural balance is being sought out by younger generations, who are reaching out for something they can touch. Maybe our digital world has become so frenetic that 'slow' hobbies are now more appealing than ever, offering a break from the digital world. Many people seem to believe there's more than enough room for both.
Curious? Click on to discover why the appeal of analog tech keeps growing.
In industries such as fashion, commercial photographers using film out-earn their digital counterparts, producing technically-skilled work.
In a 2018 survey, under a quarter of under 40s had never used film for shooting. Respondents cited "greater creative control" as one of the main reasons why they prefer it.
There are many reasons why film cameras are making a comeback in the age of digital, instant images. Their unique quality is something digital can't match.
Once written off as the victims of the digital age, analog devices have been experiencing a comeback. And it's not older people feeling nostalgic who are driving this trend.
Gen Z have been snapping up 20-year-old, point-and-shoot film cameras in their droves, even though the picture is deemed "lower quality."
There are now more versions of analog synthesizers around than there were in their heyday of the 1970s. Reviving old ones is popular among hobbyists, too.
Some old camera models are now more expensive than their modern DSLR counterparts. Brands like Kodak, once devastated by the digital photography revolution, have survived and are thriving once more.
When making something creative, one of the factors that can lead to making something truly unique and unexpected are the "happy accidents" that occur.
With digital technology, there is less room for these jolts of randomness. Digital technology can also smooth out the cracks too much, leading to art that looks or sounds "too perfect."
Some believe the difficulty of using these old technologies adds to the appeal. Synthesizer events are packed with people both young and old, due to the undeniable appeal of making music—even if it's a more difficult way to do it.
Similarly, the ritual of playing music on a vinyl record player makes a memory that's physical, and not just about the music itself.
Younger people who never experienced the joy of analog technology the first time around are discovering these devices for themselves.
The growing demand has also created a resurgence in the number of independent record shops. In the UK, there are a third more stores than a decade ago.
Older forms of communication and play, such as letter writing and board games, have also seen popularity soar. Physical books remain resilient in the face of competition from app readers.
The presence of a turntable and the ritual involved to play music demands a certain kind of respect that differs wildly from streamed music.
In 2023, vinyl record sales were the highest they had been this century, a trend which has seen them rising for the 16th consecutive year.
Vinyl LPs have a rich, warm sound that can't be replicated, and encourage a kind of deep listening as opposed to the skip-and-shuffle stream beat.
Although digital devices have made our life extremely convenient, the effort and meaning associated with analog tech and tangible artifacts seems to plug a different kind of human need.
There are no notifications, pop-ups, or other distractions, helping writers focus solely on the task at hand, allowing them to enter a flow state.
Taking notes in a Moleskine doesn't make you any more productive; however, it's using a different part of your brain that delivers different results than when you use a laptop.
Typewriters are experiencing a revival thanks to Millennials and Gen Z, with fans describing that they provide a distraction-free writing experience.
What's more, typewriters provide a tangible result, offering users a sense of satisfaction. They have a lifespan of decades, making them sustainable, too.
Some people have also been put off by streaming services, their unethical practices and how their listening habits are being 'manipulated' so they hear more of the same.
It can take a bit of searching to find good radio stations, but many stations offer tailored, very niche shows that can serve as an introduction to great new music.
As our tech advancements become faster, there is a growing movement towards embracing the concept of slow living. Trends such as brewed, drip filter coffee and playing vinyl records align with this way of life.
Legendary instant camera maker Polaroid was rescued by an Austrian entrepreneur, just days before it was due to close its last factory in the Netherlands in 2008.
Polaroid images offer something their digital counterparts can't: a physical photo, a memento and keepsake from an event or time spent with friends. Any blurring or flaws add to the charm.
At the 2024 Oscars, four out of the five nominees for best cinematography were shot on Kodak movie film stock, proof that the Academy are also fans of analog.
Perhaps analog appeals to people who make art for the love of the process, and find happiness in having something to physically show for their efforts. Right now, their numbers are growing.
Sources: (The New York Times) (BBC Future) (The Guardian) (Sappi) (Tech Briefs)
See also: The invention of Silicon Valley, birthplace of tech
Why is analog technology still so appealing?
The rise, fall, and resurrection of the old school
LIFESTYLE Tech
Some 15 years ago, it seemed like everything analog was on its way out. Fast-forward to the 2020s and here we are in the middle of an analog tech resurgence. Have we reached peak digital? It appears a natural balance is being sought out by younger generations, who are reaching out for something they can touch. Maybe our digital world has become so frenetic that 'slow' hobbies are now more appealing than ever, offering a break from the digital world. Many people seem to believe there's more than enough room for both.
Curious? Click on to discover why the appeal of analog tech keeps growing.