Analog movement, Low-tech goods, and Microtrends

Analog movement

I don't think analog movement needs much introduction but in my own words it's a movement that go against addicting technology by using low-tech and/or analog tech. Also teaching people to "go outside" as well.

Before I continue talking about this, I think it's important for me to make a clear distinction between the two.

Analog tech are goods that is powered without the use of electronics such as a motherboard and batteries. Example can just be as simple as pens/pencils and a notebook. Heck, even footware can be considered technology as well. The most impressive piece of analog tech I've seen so far are mechanical watch movements that is not battery powered. And of course, the old typewriters.

Low-tech are goods that is powered with a motherboard and a battery. They can either be old or new tech as well. Usually they are designed to be single task type of device. Easy examples can be a music player, gaming device, and even a camera.

The reason why I'm clarifying this right now is because the moment you see a content creator post anything about "analog movement" and you see a CD player in the YouTube thumbnail, you'll get a comment or two saying "that's not analog ..." which is indeed a fair point.

I don't think enough people are using the term "low-tech" enough, but hopefully more and more will. Or better yet, find a more appropriate term to describe that group of products.

The "Analog Movement" is something I'm kind of split in between. In a way, it's great that people want to escape the pure evil of big tech wanting everyone's attention but on the other hand ... it can be another consumerist trend. Imagine a user wasting time watching TikTok, learning about the movement, and then buy the product in the TikTok shop. It's not looking good so far.

And like the previous blog post I put out, it's rather funny for these creators to encourage to go "offline" awhile they are posting content "online." The level of contradiction is there. I get it, they are doing something that is for the greater good, but, in the end, it's up to the users who are exposed to the movement to stop using addicting devices and/or apps. It's simple, the more these content creators post videos about the movement, the more easy it is to see how they are not fully committed to the movement. Like that one comment I've read before, nails it: "Proving that you are offline by posting content online."

"But how will users learn more about the movement?" You ask. Oh, easy. Just stop posting every single day about it. Oh? The stats? The metrics? Your view count? Hold on. I thought you care about the movement! Just challenge yourself by telling the audience that you won't post anything for a month for the analog movement and then commit! It'll be great! What you mean that's bad idea?! I thought you cared about this! Why even post about the movement to begin with if you don't commit?!

This is the same issue of "why I quit social media" but ... they post the content on social media ... I think you get the point.

"Analog bag"

This is the first (or second?) microtrend I ever had the chance to speak about.

Alright, are you ready? I'll share what my analog bag looks like. Ready? Okay. I have a super slim backpack, it's not a tote bag. Inside? It's a sketchbook with pencils ... annnnd that's it!

What? You thought there is more? What-you-mean? I mean uhhh ... there are other important stuff I shove in there such as brick and cable to charge my work device. Some meds and band-aids ... sometimes I'll bring my notebook to jot down notes.

Otherwise, that's it. The issue I have with "analog bag" trend is that it is the pure definition of consumerism.

Instead of talking about the pros and cons about it, or even just testing it out for months, it is straight to "here is what I'll be buying and adding it to my analog bag!"

There is content that you can watch of people who just go to the arts and crafts store, recording without permission (most of the time), showcasing what they'll get and buy them, then shove the goods inside the analog bag.

The obvious problem is this, these people are jumping into too many hobbies. How many? Let me list them, because can you find the time to do all of this?:

I could add more but the point is simple, why add in so much when you know you don't have the time to do them all?

As an artist who has been sketching for decades, it's pretty easy for me to just focus on a few things and not add such a huge baggage to my backpack. My sketchbook is already heavy enough as is. Heck, usually I just take the sketchbook alone and the pencils just hangs around the metal spiral, no bag needed, super convenient.

There are even times I walk outside with just a pocket notebook and a pocket pen. Which eliminates the need to lug an analog bag.

Usually I care less what people see me doing anything art related (ex:sketching in public.) I just wonder people who are doing this, are doing it for attention. Sorry, just like how many people don't care what you wear, same thing goes for your accessories such as bags, books, and other devices. Most people don't care. Unless you are a celebrity then I guess that's a different story.

The same issue comes from "BookTok." Isn't very concerning how one user managed to read big books in it's entirety per day? How can one summarize a 1200 page book when they only had 12 hours to read it? Other than cheating with AI, it's clear that the whole point is to convince that these users love reading books but don't have the time to read them all. Seriously it's a red flag if these people post daily content about each new book they've read per day (and purchased too.) I'm willing to give comics and Manga a chance at least... Take a good screenshot of their library of books and ask them if they ever had the chance to read them all.

And yes, it's very, very, funny, when I saw a montage of content creators having the most common product in their collection. Example, almost every analog bag user has to own "Murdle" which is puzzle book. Talk about the lack of creativity. You can imagine the same for "BookTok" as well. It's like joining a cult or something. "This item is required to be part of the movement." Geez ...

Low-tech goods

Low-tech is certainly my kind of thing. I enjoy them.

Let me test my memory without the need to look it up on the internet:

That's all I can think of, sure, I want to add in singe board computers but I think that is pushing it honestly.

There is obviously some bit of criticism to these devices. They can be distracting to a degree. For example I can imagine a user wasting countless hours playing offline videogame when that person should be doing something more productive.

On the other hand I think there is some level of control. Rather than tech dictating on what you should watch with their algorithm, you choose to do something offline, which is great.

However there is a bit of problem with certain low-tech devices that achieve "lifestyle" level of prices. Devices such as Light Phone II (dumbphone) and PlayDate (handheld gaming) are usually 250 dollars and more. Most will ask "who is buying that?" And you are right, it's crazy. Clearly they are designed for a niche audience.

Thankfully there is so much used goods that you can purchase. Whenever it's from eBay or even in yard sales. You have so much to look for.

Oddly I'm optimistic about low-tech devices. As of now, record players are making a come back. But on the other hand, mini game consoles just came by and went (SNES Mini for example.) My only hope is that there'll be more and more low-tech devices that'll not have bloated garbage in the devices. Right now I think the MP3 players needs a serious look. As for cameras, I love my Camp Snap ... that's it really.

Microtrends

There is a YouTube channel formerly called Futureproof. It is now called by the founder's name Levi Hildebrand. The channel focuses on consumerism and internet trends.

My short review on the channel is this: I think the channel does good job targeting many of the issues we are facing, however due to their structure which is weekly uploads, research can be a hit or miss. It's a good channel either way and it's impressive how it's done with a 3-person crew, with no AI. I am taking a break from watching their content. I stopped weeks ago because their choice of topics is repetitive, I mean how many videos you have to make about water bottles?

What fascinates me is how trends come and go so fast that there is a name for that: microtrends. We are not talking about Fast Fashion now, we are now talking about Ultra Fast Fashion. It's one thing to target audience where certain type of fashion will last for months but now it's all about targetting a shorter window, maybe two weeks or less.

Every time I see a new topic from Levi's upload, it shocks me. Because I am no longer in social media any more, this channel is the only way for me to learn about the new trends. It's somewhat helpful since I deal with so many customers asking for certain products. For example, those squishy toys that kids go crazy over.

But no matter what ... these products will go straight to the bin. I don't know if you ever watched a documentary on Fast Fashion, but you should. The landfill of clothes piling up on a third world countries. People getting paid very little to put the clothes together awhile there is no safety standards. Then the bosses who managed these companies are getting paid a lot. Sometimes I feel real bad for buying these kind of clothes.

Toys, food, clothes, internet challenges ... anything can be a microtrend now-a-days. It's a matter of time when people will get tired of these trends. Hopefully there will be a pushback, "this is just XYZ all over again! Boring!"

Extra: Nostalgia

You can thank Levi for bringing this up.

I never gave much thought about it but ... I'd be lying to myself. We all wished to be in the past where things are a lot more simpler. However we'd be dealing with challenges that we wished were fixed but it's now resolved.

I get the current generation wishing to be in a certain decades. For example I wish I was stuck in the 90s to 2000s because I find the tech to be good enough in terms of balance between using it and not using it. Once I'm finished browsing the internet and checking e-mail, I just log-out and turn off the computer.

I think what is going on here is how certain generation such as Gen Zs seeing old pictures of early 90s bedrooms and they want that experience even though they have never lived through that time. They see the aesthetics, the colors, the vibes. Sadly, the only answer is to buy the goods they see online.

Movies and games at least can provide an escapism towards certain eras. But sometimes, that is not enough. They want to be in there, stuck inside, forever.