Physical vs Digital

It struck me recently that I am increasingly drawn to physical objects over digital tools. I see the irony of writing this as a digital blog and I am not rejecting the digital world at all, but I am realising the value of the analogue world and the need for tangible 3D tools to express ourselves and to learn from.

I bought a No2 Brownie camera yesterday dating from 1901-1935. I was drawn to its simplicity, utilitarian style, affordability (at the time) and basic controls. I think it is beautiful and miraculous, I only hope I can get it to work with a 120mm film, but there is very little that can go wrong as all the working parts are very simple and still move well.

I have also been playing with lino, and creating prints. There is something intensely satisfying about listening to radio excerpts (in my role as a podcast producer) and using my hands as my brain concentrates on something else.

The action of cutting and rolling and seeing what happens, (plenty of disasters and the odd success) is life giving and so much more responsive than a computer screen.

So if you are needing a digital detox, go and meet a colleague rather than having yet another zoom meeting. Or pick up your knitting needles or a sketchpad and do something REAL and see how it feels. You will find that it enhances your digital life and even if it doesn't, you will have new hobbies that don't require a charging cable which is a great relief.