Living both analog and digital

These days, do you feel more analog or more digital? A new book by the journalist Daniel Sax suggests you can comfortably be both at the same time.

The New York Times review of “The Revenge of Analog: Real Things and Why They Matter” points out that in our souped-up, hyper-digital world, both young people and old are finding ways to make the most of high tech and low — witness, for instance, the surprising surge in sales of vinyl LPs and the continuing strength of printed books over e-readers.

Writes the reviewer: “’The choice we face isn’t between digital and analog,’ Mr. Sax asserts. ‘That simplistic duality is actually the language that digital has conditioned us to: a false binary choice between 1 and 0, black and white, Samsung and Apple. The real world isn’t black or white. It is not even gray. Reality is multicolored, infinitely textured, and emotionally layered.’ And it’s often analog — perhaps less efficient, less perfect, less speedy — which best captures those human imperfections, creating a tactile interface with the world.”

Worth some thought. Your turn: email me at rrollins@coxohio.com.

About the Author