Whether or not it is a trend,
the idea of pursuing a life not
revolved around technology is a
movement I can get behind. In
the days leading up to January 1st,

my Instagram feed started inun-
dating me with “Analogue 2026”

reels. The idea of this trend is to
seek out old technology and take
up screen-free hobbies to create

a more intentional and natural
life. Common sense, you know?

Replacing 500 streaming subscrip-
tions by investing in DVDs of the

best and your favorite movies, TV
shows, CDs, and Vinyl Records is

a more thoughtful way of engag-
ing with entertainment media.

Over the past few years, I have
been slowly acquiring DVDs
of some of my favorite movies
and TV shows simply because I
was worried that they wouldn’t

be available on any streaming
platform. As you may know,
sometimes movies are elusive or
even disappear for months at a
time when they’re only available
on streaming. However, since
becoming more acutely aware

of just how all-consuming tech-
nology and AI are becoming in

society, I’ve decided to become

very intentional about pursu-
ing physical media. Frankly, I’ve

grown exhausted and apathetic to
modern technology. I’m over it.
Owning DVDs also prevents
streaming platforms from altering
your favorite movies or TV shows.
On Disney+, numerous movies

have been censored and/or remas-
tered, often scrubbing the movie

of its original grain, charm, and
color. Censorship has occurred
for political reasons, but also in

an effort to not promote danger-
ous or inappropriate behavior. In a

2020 article on Word Press, Peter
Oneto compiled a list of content
available on Disney+ that has been
censored or changed.
Additionally, opening sequences
have been changed and warnings
have been added in. Overall, not
necessarily a bad thing, however,
some viewers might find that
unnecessary and are partial to the

original version.
Just as my DVD collection has
grown in an intentional act against

modern tech, so has my vinyl col-
lection. What started out as an

“aesthetic” pursuit has over the
past few years taken shape into
a prized collection of frequently
used pieces of physical media.
Not to mention, acquiring records
has been a fun hunt and receiving
them as gifts is so exciting. I have
some of my favorites like James
Taylor, Carpenters, The Go Go’s,
and Michael Jackson at the ready.
Similarly, I dusted off my CD
Radio from when I was little
and have been working my way
through the family’s giant CD
case, featuring other favorites like
America, Eagles, Van Morrison,

and Journey.
Old technology is versatile,
engaging, and despite being
phased out by tech companies
pushing out the new form; it has
physically lasted a long time—it’s
durable. Compared to the phones

of today that need frequent soft-
ware update and phased out as

newer models are sold, physical
media is still here and hopefully
to stay.
I hope we can ride the coattails
of this social media trend to a more
thoughtful and productive 2026.

Engaging in a conscious relation-
ship with the entertainment you

choose can lead to peace, joy, and

a sense of calm that is so desper-
ately needed in our short-form

culture.