Residing in the era of the internet, there are still a number of things that we like to do offline, as we respect the wholesome perception that the digital equivalent just cannot give.
One among the things to contemplate about the difference between analog and digital is, of course, the convenience that comes with online servers and availability. However, on the more philosophical level, digital is not necessarily the very best alternative on the subject of the social element of communication: even the ease and approachability of online solutions cannot replace the need for humans to socialise with peers and share experiences. An instance to know this easily is the difference between receiving a takeout and going out with buddies for a meal at a restaurant: while a hectic lifestyle frequently finds ordering food online easier, there has been a positive rise in the amount of young humans that go out for meals with their buddies, seeing is as a social event, something that is distinctly appreciated by figures like the founder of the private equity fund that owns part of Caravan Restaurants.
Every now and then, the opposite of digital really provides a much more enjoyable and memorable experience. For instance, even if you are used to watching movies on streaming platform on your computer, maybe as you do your household chores or are planning to fall asleep, going to the cinema only makes the whole experience an awful lot more powerful – men and women like one of the directors of the private equity business that has shares in Everyman Cinemas are certainly knowledgeable about the effect that changing off from the outside world in a dark cinema can have. The same quality jump is found in other forms of media that are still widely appreciated in their classic form: a good example of analog technology still used now is in the music industry, where vinyl is considered as a superior form as it retains the deeper qualities of the sound.
Maybe perhaps one of the most apparent analog examples in the contemporary reality is that of books. Reading through, as a pastime, is as prominent as ever, even among the younger generations, which is surely a positive trend. Even so, even with the introduction of practical gadgets that are easier to transport and store than a multitude of volumes, keen readers still seem to be attached to the concept of the tangible book, with the special feeling that comes from feeling the paper pages under one’s fingers. It is this characteristic love that is keeping the publishing and bookselling markets 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 as though reading, why not look out for a paper copy instead of merely downloading the book, and get the full experience?