After decades of the rise of digital media and digital consumption, the resurrection of physical media, such as vinyl records, books, and blu-rays, areit is often dismissed as only nostalgic. However, this resurrection is something far more important, it is a necessary reclamation of the society’s old identity. 

With the ease of streaming services being life changing, it comes with a hidden cost. With licensing agreements between movies, tv shows, and platforms shifting, films begin to vanish from those recognizable platforms. With the form of physical films, the disappearance will only happen with the owner’s intent. With a bookshelf of films, it serves as a permanent archive that does not require a monthly subscription. 

Beyond the ease of owning physical media, it also changes the way humans see and process information. With social media letting people scroll endlessly it often leads to too many choices to choose from, where more time is spent browsing than seeing art. With physical media, however, the demand for singular focus forces the user to connect with only that and not just scroll past it. 

There is also a “digital landfill.” Although it seems ironic, a well-kept physical collection can be more sustainable than a digital collection since it requires huge amounts of energy. Additionally, physical media can be passed down through generations, or be gifted to friends. These acts that bring the community together is much more important than a digital, password protected account. 

Choosing the use of physical media doesn’t make people “old-fashioned.” Rather, it is a smart way to use modern technology. While the internet makes things easier to find, physical items are better for keeping and enjoying the things that matter most.