It started with me opting not to keep smart lights when I moved. I found the routine of pressing physical switches more rewarding than the tap of a touch screen. I've since gotten into vinyl, and film photography. I still stream music, and I still take photos with my iPhone when it's more convenient, but I find the physicality of analog devices uniquely rewarding.
@Gargron I've been saying for decades that I'm an ANALOG girl living in a DIGITAL world. I do the digital thing but my preference is for analog: watches and clocks with faces and hands; car with a physical key that you shove into the ignition and turn to get the engine going; a house key for an antique lock; and, light switches that get flipped up and down.
@Gargron That's a totally understandable perspective. Though being able to flip lights on/off is just one off the aspecta, right? Eg, automatically adjusting light brightness and color temperature per circadian cycle was a game-changer for me (haven't had an insomnia ever since then). Or being able to play light show to accompany a vinyl record for a stronger mood. I think one doesn't need to think about it as though you only can get "either", as you can actually have both.
@Gargron Back in the day I loved photographing events with my fully manual OM-1. No auto-focus, just set it for a given focal length and look for shots within that distance. Fun
@Gargron I grew up with all that technology; there were no digital options at all. I even developed my own photos (B&W only) in high school. CDs arrived when I was in my mid-20s. I guess I'm on the other side—I don't miss analog tech at all. But everyone's different and enjoys different things.
@Gargron I totally get it. There's something about the physicality of analog devices that makes them more engaging & satisfying to use. There's a tactile feedback that you just don't get with digital devices. & there's also a sense of connection to the past that analog devices can offer.
I'm glad you're finding joy in vinyl and film photography. Those are two great hobbies that can be really rewarding. And who knows, maybe you'll even find yourself collecting other analog devices in the future.
@Gargron
I haven't gone full analog, but I notice I have been spontaneously taking some steps back regarding digital. Using my 1GB mp3 player (bought in 2005, still works!), paper journals for work, a wristwatch, and so on.
@Gargron +1 I hit peak digital a while back and now my goal is to do as much as possible in the analog world without terribly inconveniencing myself.
Our car has a key fob which the car senses when you get close and it lets you open the doors, start the engine etc. Except that the battery runs down every two months (or so it feels) and I'm constantly carrying the cognitive load of "must replace battery". So I've mostly gone back to using the physical key, which works at all times.
@sepfeiffer I feel like TVs are the biggest offenders in this category. I went the far more expensive projector route just to avoid getting a smart TV.
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