Residing in the age of the web, there are still several things that we like to do offline, as we treasure the genuine perception that the digital equivalent just can't give.
Probably probably one of the most apparent analog examples in today’s reality is that of books. Reading, as a hobby, is as famous as ever, even among the younger generations, which is actually a positive trend. Even so, even with the introduction of convenient equipment that are easier to transport and store than a great number of volumes, keen readers still seem to be attached to the principle of the physical book, with the special feeling that comes from feeling the paper pages under one’s fingers. It is this particular love that is keeping the publishing and bookselling sectors prospering, as appreciated by figures like one of the top senior partners at the fund that owns Waterstones. Just so, the next time you feel like reading, why not look out for a paper copy instead of simply downloading the book, and get the full experience?
Once in a while, the opposite of digital definitely provides a much more enjoyable and memorable experience. For example, even if you are used to watching movies on streaming platform on your computer, perhaps as you do your household chores or are planning to fall asleep, going to the cinema just makes the whole experience a lot more powerful – men and women like one of the directors of the private equity business that has shares in Everyman Cinemas are certainly conscious of the effect that switching off from the outside world in a dark cinema can have actually. The same quality jump is found in other forms of media that are still widely appreciated in their conventional form: a nice example of analog technology still used presently is in the music industry, where vinyl is considered as a superior form as it retains the deeper qualities of the sound.
One among the things to start thinking about about the difference between analog and digital is, of course, the comfort that comes with online servers and availability. However, on the more philosophical level, digital is not necessarily the greatest option in terms of the social factor of communication: even the ease and ease of access of online providers cannot replace the need for humans to socialise with peers and share experiences. An example to comprehend this easily is the difference between ordering a takeout and going out with friends for a meal at a restaurant: while a stressful lifestyle often finds ordering food online easier, there has been a positive rise in the range of young men and women that go out for meals with their friends, seeing is as a social occasion, something that is surely appreciated by figures like the founder of the private equity fund that owns part of Caravan Restaurants.