reverting to analog

I’ve shared this curiosity with a few people lately and keep thinking about it:

Will we humans get tired of the digital experience and revert to analog?

I’m not necessarily sure that’s the best way to explain what I mean–I certainly do not believe, nor want, to turn back on the advancements technology has brought us in the digital age, but I can’t help but notice more people going back to buying vinyl records, physical books, or even flip phones coming back–some are even de-smarting their smartphones. I mean, I just bought a cassette tape of all of the songs that made up the Kendrick Lamar-Drake beef…a cassette tape.

I guess the rise of analog, like vinyl, books, and even cassette tapes, could be a result of my generation getting to an age where we appreciate the nostalgia of analog, but I think there’s more to it.

While we have significantly increased our access to information (and disinformation), ability to communicate with family, friends, and strangers across the world, increased the opportunity to be more efficient, and become more “productive,” we have also become more isolated, distracted, and according to some studies, less happy.

Does there become a point where we decide we’re willing to give up some of the benefits of technology, like walking around with a library in our hand, and go back to the experience of holding a physical book and turning pages?

I think in certain areas of life, ones that provide experiences and human interaction, we do.

I think in other areas, ones that increase productivity and efficiency, we don’t and we use the greater productivity and efficiency to give us more time for the “analog” experiences.

As we hear more and more about AI taking over everything, I think the reality will be that AI will take over certain things, but it will also make some non-technological aspects more appreciated and valuable. For example, in certain health situations, telehealth or even an AI chatbot is not going to be enough, and I will certainly seek a human to interact with. AI won’t replace all doctors–it might displace some, but it will make those who are the best at what they do and are good with human connection irreplaceable.

The same with financial advisors and in my case, life planners.

One final thought I have been thinking about along these lines is the opportunity to bring like-minded people together. I think retreats, small groups, online communities that actually come together in person, and other events that provide human interaction are going to be a tremendous opportunity over the next few years–eventually, they’ll go the way of online courses in that everyone will be putting on in-person events and they’ll become watered-down and all over social media with the genuine ones surviving the oversaturation because they provide real value and meaningful interactions.

I view the in-person event as another example of analog, and I’m spending a lot of time thinking about how I can be early in participating in providing meaningful human connection for people pursuing their authentic lives.

I can’t explain why I enjoy listening to records in my office more than Spotify on my iMac, but the experience and even the sound are more enjoyable. I’m not sure if I revert to carrying a Walkman because of the convenience of having all of my music with me when I’m on the go, but when I’m in a setting where I have time, I see my Self moving more and more toward the analog.

See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,

JC