For some, it is the security of knowing they have a physical copy of their favourite films and music, free from algorithms, interruptions and the vagaries of streaming. For others, it is the sound of needle on vinyl, the click of a cassette player and the ability to interact with a physical format. We asked people if they were moving back to CDs, DVDs, vinyl and older formats to escape algorithmically curated content.
Here are some of their responses. Ash, 52, a university lecturer from Cornwall, says he initially embraced streaming but has since tempered that enthusiasm. He says he has amassed more than 5,000 records and CDs from 1990 to 2009.
I stopped buying and streamed,” he says, but adds: “I spent more time making playlists than listening to music; I lost the ability to listen to a whole album and missed the physical connection with music. It’s more like wallpaper than a work of art.” CJ, 55, a compliance manager from Atlanta, says she decided to return to physical media when shows she liked began disappearing from streaming services. We scour flea markets and secondhand shops for shows and movies that are hard to find.
We have also continued to buy CDs. She adds: “No algorithm is as creative as a well-stocked human brain alive to its actual surroundings.” Ruth also rents physical film titles by mail from a store in Seattle. We can stream music from the internet, although even then the connection will conk out every once in a while.” This summer, Antonio, 40, began buying secondhand CDs from a charity shop in an attempt to get off music subscription services.
He works nights and weekends, leaving him little time to go to concerts. There’s the routine of interacting with the tape and equipment to play it, the quirks that come with analogue tech and, of course, being able to share music with people by handing them a tape rather than a Spotify link. Rather than having content presented to me, I’m seeking it out for myself, or finding it through friends, and that’s a huge part of being low-tech.
Sometimes I’m ‘out of the loop’, but I prefer it.” Tim’s young and adult children all enjoy watching films on older formats. Next step is to open the trunk containing my (younger) partner’s childhood VHS collection. We’ll see where that goes.” Sophie, 32, a librarian from Los Angeles, does stream music, but “mostly listens to CDS”.
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