Comments on: The Revenge of Analog: Real Things and Why They Matter (Guest Post by Sara Bhatia)

By: Les Levine

Les Levine — Sat, 06 May 2017 12:02:09 +0000

I really enjoyed the writing and thought that went into Sara’s review of David Sax’ book. I have always been a technologist professionally but more of a mixed analog/digital person in my personal life. I have always thought of the digital world as being (often) a better or cheaper or more efficient way of accomplishing the same goals as one had when things were more analog. It is clear that going digital often has unforeseen and broader consequences than simply making a process better or more efficient. We have to realize, however, that this has been going on long before the digital world arrived. When cars replaced horse-drawn vehicles (and, to a large extent, trains and ships) as our principal mode of transportation, it also changed where and how people lived, it greatly accelerated the use of fossil fuels with all the implications of that, but it also cleaned up cities and improved the health of urban dwellers by removing horse droppings as a big city problem!

I think the progress of technology is inevitable and the challenge is to develop smart policies, personal as well as public, for the use of new technology.

Great review!

Les

By: Marsha Levine

Marsha Levine — Fri, 05 May 2017 14:27:04 +0000

I agree with Jennifer that Sara’s way of engaging with the ideas in a book she reviews gives us all much to chew on. One of the many thoughts it prompted for me was to ponder what happens when the analog and the digital come together. This blog is a good example of a platform for that interaction. The process of reading books stimulates ideas; the sharing of these ideas is facilitated by a digital process. The product of that interaction is the stimulation and creation of new ideas.

Perhaps it is not questions of either or, better or worse, but rather finding ways to combine the two to produce the most desirable outcomes. Educators, for example, have been attempting to do this for years with some success but haven’t yet found that “sweet spot” . Thanks to Sara for this wonderful review that hits that spot.

Marsha

By: Joan Ury

Joan Ury — Fri, 05 May 2017 13:14:52 +0000

Wow! Great review – so glad to hear analog is now hip!!

By: Jennifer Gold

Jennifer Gold — Fri, 05 May 2017 01:54:58 +0000

Hooray for the Luddites among us! And also for Sara Bhatia’s insightful review of David Sax’s new book. I enjoyed her combination of sharing the ideas in the book as well as engaging with them. So many book reviews just end up just being a summary of the book’s plot or ideas. Sara’s piece actually engaged with those ideas.

I’m a fan of the analog, and I swear (to my kids, mostly) that it is not because I find much of the digital world mystifying and frustrating — although there is some truth to that too. I just generally prefer the tactile, as Sara calls it. I prefer the mechanical over the electrical. I want to SEE the thing! I was a graphic designer for a while, and left the field around the time that computers were taking over every aspect of design. I firmly believe the the tools influence the final product. Some digital discoveries just can not replace or improve upon the analog. (Moleskin journals, anyone?)

I think the love affair with some of the analog items Sara (and Sax) mentioned might be explained by nostalgia, but I think distinctions can be made for things that are loved purely for that quaint factor (such as PacMan) as opposed to a re-discovery of something that actually IS cool (and not because it’s old). No one really plays PacMan now, right? Except perhaps ironically. They are just amused by how “old” it is. But people — my kids, at least — definitely love the new Polaroids — and not because they are quaint. The Polaroid produces a different — new! — photo than those to which they are accustomed.

Re: Alice Gallin’s comment about every generation become enamored of the previous generation, I am amused to see my kids discovering “my” era of music, objects, clothes, etc. But I honestly can’t say I ever felt that way about my parents’ generation. Or is that coming soon? (Dinah Shore, anyone? Poodle skirts?)

Anyway, sorry: I’ve rambled. Great review. Great blog. And it sounds like a very interesting and worthwhile book. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

By: Harriet

Harriet — Fri, 05 May 2017 01:06:25 +0000

Shared skepticism of Sax’s argument aside, I’m pleased to finally have a plausible defense for my inability to dispose of certain games. Monopoly has, of course, earned a permanent place in our family’s archive but my inability to part with “Operation” was inexplicable until now. Surely it’s among the most tactile/analog games ever? (Extraction of the “Wish Bone” was always particularly satisfying…) Sara’s review helped explain my predilection! Can’t wait to read the book.

By: jenniferpuryear

jenniferpuryear — Thu, 04 May 2017 21:19:47 +0000

People are wonderfully curious creatures (both meanings of that word). Thanks, Alice! Xo

By: jenniferpuryear

jenniferpuryear — Thu, 04 May 2017 21:18:45 +0000

In reply to Sean Kinch.

I think so too! And wow these digital kids. Xo

By: jenniferpuryear

jenniferpuryear — Thu, 04 May 2017 21:14:56 +0000

In reply to linda leaming.

I always love hearing from you, Linda! And I’m so glad you stop in for some digital Bacon when you can!! Xo

By: Alice Gallin

Alice Gallin — Thu, 04 May 2017 21:03:08 +0000

Wonderful review about a book I haven’t heard about until seeing this piece. I will definitely check it out. I think every generation becomes enamored with what earlier generations have used and done.