We crave the obsolete, not the futuristic. Think wired earphones, point and shoot cameras, the digicam trend, physical books and magazines, dumb phones, film filters on photographs. These are pieces of old technology, that came out of vogue because of their “outdated features”. New technology keeps on being released promising superiority over their preceding models such as the iPhone 17 that made its debut on 2025 with thinner borders, all-day battery life and faster charging time. TVs from appliance stores are all Smart TVs with AI features that will automatically enhance picture and sound and provide personalized content recommendations. You don’t even have to watch on a television, you can stream shows and movies through your phone, whenever you like, wherever you are. Robot vacuums can clean your floor without you
having to carry out the physical act of cleaning. These new pieces of technology are so intelligent. We want dumb.
We are collectively experiencing a phenomenon called digital fatigue. Psychology Today describes it as that feeling of being tires and burned out from all the screen time in our lives. We live in a digital age where not only entertainment is projected on screens but we are heavily reliant on laptops, computers and such for work. We even use our phones to purchase via our electronic wallets. That’s why there is a resurgence
of old tech because of exhaustion. Of course, we cannot deny the convenience and ease that modern technology can give you. We certainly have benefited from it as it has made our lives easier. It’s just that we want to revisit a certain point in time where it was much simpler.
As I was making an itinerary for a trip to Hong Kong, I kept coming across second-hand camera stores. Most notably, the one in Sham Shui Po where there are cameras from the floor to the ceiling waiting to be bought. Camera stores have become tourist spots appearing on TikTok as travel must-visits. The appeal of the digital camera is its “airy, floaty and ethereal” look, as described by reporter Elizabeth Gulino. There is a distinct difference in the visual characteristics between phone photography and digicam photography. In my opinion, digital camera photos are more dynamic in color and in visual texture where not only the subject is in focus, but there is great detail seen in the surroundings, the background, the foreground. Author Ian Bolt notes that a “significant part of the camera revival is rooted in nostalgia”. Reminiscence is a primary motive. We often look to the past with fondness and sentimentality and through a shot of a point-and-shoot, you capture just that.
Have you also felt incredibly overwhelmed by streaming services? So many television shows and movies and all these genres and countries of origin. Could it be any harder to choose? You browse for what seems like a half-hour. You browse and browse and then some more. Afterwards, the anticipation to watch has died down, so you just walk away unentertained and dissatisfied. The idea of one’s own collection of DVDs and Blu-rays does not sound bad at all. You can quickly decide because you’ve already narrowed down by purchasing what you actually want to watch. You also do not run the risk of your favorite movie disappearing from your streaming services. My beloved film, Pride & Prejudice, has disappeared from my streaming service countless times. It appears and then vanishes and then appears again. Call me silly but I was bitter about it. My favorite film was no longer within arm’s reach. Even though, I have watched it two thousand times, what if I suddenly needed a dose of cinematic comfort, what will I do then?
You can receive newsletters, magazines and books electronically. A soft copy will be sent to you if you choose to subscribe or purchase. As a book fiend, I understand the attractiveness of soft copies. After all, you won’t worry so much about which part of a bookshelf to place them in, and so long as you carry your reading device then you always have those publications with you. You could be carrying a whole library’s worth of books on your gadget, and no one would notice. I have dipped my toes into the world of e-books and Substack newsletters. No complaints there. However, there is something about physical copies of reading material. I like the thrill of the hunt when I am searching and scanning through piles at second-hand book shops. I like the tactile feeling of a book between your hands, a finger tracing to follow the sentences, and the eyes feel calmer when it’s set on a creamy, soft white page instead of on a bright screen.
Going analog can do your mind a lot of good. Don’t go totally off-grid though and throw away all your technology. Just take a break from all the screens when you need.
There’s a saying that distance makes the heart grow fonder. Distance from modern technology can bring you a deeper appreciation for old tech and vice versa. You just ought to know what works for you and your lifestyle.
So, will you go back to the obsolete past or to the futuristic modern?