When was the last time you used a DVD player, burned a CD or saw a VHS tape? For many students, the answer is never. In the midst of an increasingly internet-dependent world, people must make an effort to revert to analog media.
To nobody’s surprise, people are begging for an authentic life that does not feel dictated by the internet. A desired return to analog media has been marked by a resurgence of search queries for Blu-rays and vinyl records, according to The Guardian.
“I would say our whole lives are pretty consumed by anything online,” senior Kaitlyn Ma said. “And I think it’s a nice break to have physical media that you can actually touch. I just like seeing it on my shelf, because I get to see exactly what I listen to.”
Though digital media’s wide selection can be harrowing to some, it is often favored for its convenience and value, as many streaming services, such as Spotify and Apple Music, offer access to a huge library of artists at a fraction of the cost, according to Illustrate. Further, with the rise of AI, these platforms have catered to users’ personal interests by providing them with AI-backed recommendations based on their listening preferences through platforms such as Spotify DJ. However, with the rise of streaming services, people have lost the personal touch that physical media provides.
“When you take a look at somebody’s collection, it’s kind of like a window into their soul,” physics teacher John Olivares said. “I remember there was a thing in college where it’s like, you meet somebody, and then, you take a look at their music collection, and it’s like, ‘Oh, let’s see. What do we have here? Oh, they like some really cool stuff!’ When you buy physical media, it’s sitting on your shelf; it’s always there.”
The personalized experience that switching to analog media provides is unmatched by any digital platform. Further, physical media makes for an experience that the original producers intended for their audiences, making the user feel much more immersed, according to Olivares.
“An album is like a collection of songs that the artists and producers intentionally sequenced and put together,” Olivares said. “So, there are a lot of albums that benefit from being heard that way. Like Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon. That’s an album that you put on, and you listen to from start to finish. You don’t listen to just one track. Most Pink Floyd albums are like that. You get more of the intention of the artists and the producers when you listen to an entire album from start to finish.”
Physical media is a remnant of pop culture that seems stuck in the 90s, but recently, the surge in popularity of records and DVDs amongst younger generations has helped many return to their collections or build new ones. In a world where both digital streaming and physical media coexist, it has become clear that the personal touch and intentional experience that analog media provides its users cannot be replicated by its digital counterparts.
So, go thrift your favorite album, rummage through your parents’ ancient collection of VHS tapes and cassettes or rent a DVD! Build a collection of media that screams you and start consuming the way entertainment producers intended.
