"Usually, my handbag is a medley of digital devices and life essentials my phone, iPad, chargers, keys, tampons. But lately, you're likely to also find a half-done newspaper crossword, a ton of stationery, the book I've restarted three times, and whatever scraps and trinkets I've picked up throughout the day to put in my scrapbook. Analog is back, and it feels like we need it more than ever."
"In a world where getting just about anything done means being sucked into a digital black hole of apps, sign-up forms, harrowing social media feeds and carnivorous advertisers, it's no surprise that we keep reaching back for the comfort of the physical: Polaroids, vinyl records, real birthday cards. This most recent return to analog has been marked by a surge in popularity of physical media and grandma hobbies like crosswords, knitting and crafting."
People are returning to analog activities and physical media to escape pervasive digital overload from apps, forms, social feeds, and targeted advertising. Physical artifacts such as Polaroids, vinyl records, real cards, crosswords, knitting, and crafting offer sensory pleasure and slower rhythms. Search and retail data show sharp increases in interest, with Michael's reporting a 136% site search rise and Google Trends indicating a 160% increase. Personal practices include carrying stationery, restarting physical books, scrapbooking, handwriting notes, converting digital journals to paper, and restricting phone use to calls. Analog engagement promotes presence, tactile enjoyment, and reduced screen time.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]