Gen Z has been moving toward a more analogue lifestyle over the past few years. The rise of the analogue renaissance is upon us, with the latest instalment of adults leaning more toward textile-centric hobbies and away from screens.
The generation has also been investing in fewer digital products, which comes as a surprise to many, as the expectation was that Gen Z would be digital natives. However, the young adults are leaning more toward traditional media.
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There has been a growing market in traditional media, with Gen Z buying more vinyl records, investing in print media, journaling by hand, buying film cameras, and investing in scrapbooks.
According to Medium, there is a paradox in the attitude young adults have toward analogue media, as it seems it’s not a complete rejection of digital media, but rather a more balanced approach.
However, should one desire to fully indulge in a digital or analogue lifestyle, which would be the most sustainable?
Economic sustainability
Between a digital and an analogue lifestyle, a digital lifestyle proved more sustainable. There are a lot of aspects of life that digital has compressed into a device; for example, you want to save money on transport, communication, hobbies and media consumption.
You can have various items delivered to your house, or you can watch a movie at home and talk to people virtually.
Social sustainability
Both lifestyles are actually sustainable. A digital lifestyle offers you a broader reach, allowing you to speak to virtually anyone, as long as they respond. You can have many opportunities if you market yourself correctly and all at a reasonably economical rate.
However, socially, you get to create fewer disposable connections and form meaningful connections based on common interests and intentionality. Gatherings and meet-ups are planned, and everyone makes an effort to consider each other.
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Emotional sustainability
Much of the appeal of the analogue lifestyle is how restorative it feels. According to Freedomto.com, neuroscience research stipulates that low stimulation supports reflection and creative thinking.
PubMed Central, the Default Mode Network, adds that it is crucial for processes like self-reflection, emotional processing, social interaction, and mental exploration, and becomes more active when the brain is at rest.
Environmental sustainability
Digital is not completely environmentally friendly, especially when one considers the environmental impact of electricity production, phone manufacturing and data centres. A low-energy analogue and digital lifestyle is possible through thorough research and intentionality and is highly preferable.
The balanced approach to the analogue renaissance is appropriate, as both lifestyles offer sustainability in the different aspects of life.
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