Why Some Men Still Prefer Analog Over Digital (And Should You?)

Am I the only one who misses the days when we could still tell time by looking at the clock and taking things the traditional way? Don’t get me wrong; I love how far we’ve come, but don’t you miss a turntable, a film camera, or other analog products? If it were up to me, we wouldn’t have switched to digital, and I’m not the only one thinking this. Here are reasons many men still prefer analog over digital, and a few tips to guide you:

It’s Simple

Let’s be honest: digital products can be really annoying to figure out. They keep coming up with new updates, so you’re always running amok, trying to understand what the latest feature does while finding it difficult to adjust to. Analog products don’t have this problem. Sure, they might be a little high-maintenance (depending on age), but they’re far easier to use than digital products.

Take a clock, for example. In the old days, you only had to slam the alarm button to shut it off. Now, you’ve got to unlock the darn phone and swipe to shut it off, and that’s when you realize you accidentally snoozed it instead of shutting it altogether. Similarly, turntables and music records were much easier to use because you only had to pop your favorite album or tune in. Still, with music streaming applications and platforms like Spotify, you’ll spend ages scrolling through unfavorable recommendations before your song plays.

And don’t even get me started on the ads. It’s no big-brainer; analog products are far easier and simpler to use because they keep things straight and don’t fuss over extra features.

It’s Aesthetic

You’d have to live under a rock not to notice how more youngsters lean toward traditional styles and call it fashion. I’m talking analog alarm clocks, pocket watches, headphones, and the works. They might call it the latest trend, but we all know the real reason: analog electronics and products are inherently aesthetic, so they’re always going to be around. Knowing analog products are easier to use, and can easily blend in any era gives them a timeless appeal that’s irresistible to many.

In fact, using such products is far more satisfying than using anything digital. Manually cleaning and setting a watch makes most people feel satisfied, the same way many readers find the physical turning of a page much more soothing than simply clicking the next page. The feeling of controlling such things and experiencing the smooth material puts analog electronics and products on a higher pedestal.

It’s Reliable

Don’t you hate it when you’re using a particular digital device, and it hits you with a software update? You can put that update off for as long as you want, but you and I know the device will stop working until you’re forced to update anyway. This is the biggest reason many men still prefer analog; digital devices keep developing ways to make usage more challenging, so dealing with them is annoying. Even something as simple as a clock on your smartphone won’t be reliable because it could stop functioning once you disconnect the WiFi or pull out the sim.

On the other hand, analog products are much more reliable; you don’t have to go through some annoying update to be able to tell the time or subscribe to an app to listen to music. With analog products, you know that whatever they offer is just a step away.

It’s Easy to Upkeep

People think maintaining analog products is a hassle, but this is a common misconception. Analog products require more care than digital ones, but that’s only to protect their craftsmanship and appearance. If you think about it, analog electronics are easier to upkeep because all you need to do is ensure they’re in tip-top condition. For example, taking care of an antique watch means occasional cleaning and proper storage. Similarly, if you’ve got an old pair of headphones, you only need to ensure they’re clean and tangle-free when unwrapping them. In a nutshell, analog products may look and feel like they’re high maintenance, but they’re much easier to upkeep once you start. I can’t say the same for digital products, though. God knows how many times I’ve tried to clear my smartphone’s cache and still ended up with full storage. I’ve also had many devices stop working because I couldn’t update them on time. Such minor inconveniences are insanely annoying once you realize they’re everywhere; analog could never.

It Feels More Authentic

Maybe it’s me getting old, but I love the feel and authenticity of old-timey devices. Something about physically pushing a button to start something or manually capturing beauty in photographs seems much more appealing than doing the same things through a screen. I might be biased, but you can’t tell me that turning a book page or playing a vinyl record doesn’t excite you. It’s almost like manually doing things without exhausting your eyes is supposed to make you feel good. Besides, digital products just don’t deliver the same quality anymore. Sure, many have taken to digital products like the iPhone to film, but there’s a reason analog products like the DSLR are still in action. Analog quality is just undeniable.

The Downsides of Analog Products

Now, I’ve gone on and on about the benefits of analog products, but I’ll lay down some drawbacks, too, so it’s easier for you to decide. One of the biggest downsides of analog products is the cost. Since they’re incredibly rare and are quickly becoming outdated, most analog electronics are only being purchased by the ultra-rich, which means many men like me might miss out on their beauty because it’s going to put holes in the wallet. It’s not always about age and rarity; analog products like film photography are more expensive because of the technique and picture quality. If you’re feeling disheartened already, there’s another downside to analog: inconvenience. Now, analog products are easier to use because they’re simple, but that doesn’t mean they’re quick. You’d have to wind the clock properly to tell the accurate time or take your sweet time fiddling with a record player before it starts. If you’re looking for convenience, analog products might not be it.

Should You Switch Preferences?

So the golden question is: should you switch to analog from digital? Honestly, it really depends on you. If your goal is convenience and practicality, you’re better off with digital products like smartphones since you’ll get everything within the same device. It’ll be more accessible and faster if you go with digital devices. On the other hand, if you’d like to pick a comfortable aesthetic and timeless quality over everything else, analog is the way to go.