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Written off -

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.

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Resurrection -

Younger people who never experienced the joy of analog technology the first time around are discovering these devices for themselves.

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Vinyl record players -

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.

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A different sound -

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.

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Presence -

The presence of a turntable and the ritual involved to play music demands a certain kind of respect that differs wildly from streamed music.

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Shop resurgence -

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.

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Anti-streaming -

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.

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Anti-streaming -

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.

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Slow living -

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.

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Film cameras -

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.

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Film cameras -

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."

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Old vs. new -

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.

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Rescue of old brands -

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.

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Something physical -

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.

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Something physical -

Similarly, the ritual of playing music on a vinyl record player makes a memory that's physical, and not just about the music itself.

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Not just tech -

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.

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A different approach, for different results -

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.

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Typewriter revival -

Typewriters are experiencing a revival thanks to Millennials and Gen Z, with fans describing that they provide a distraction-free writing experience.

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Typewriter revival -

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.

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Tangible results -

What's more, typewriters provide a tangible result, offering users a sense of satisfaction. They have a lifespan of decades, making them sustainable, too.

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Analog filmmaking -

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.

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Analog filmmaking -

In industries such as fashion, commercial photographers using film out-earn their digital counterparts, producing technically-skilled work.

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Modern movies -

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.

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Modular synthesizers -

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.

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Modular synthesizers -

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.

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Happy accidents -

When making something creative, one of the factors that can lead to making something truly unique and unexpected are the "happy accidents" that occur.

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Happy accidents -

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."

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Effort and meaning -

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.

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For the love of the process -

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

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