Art, feeling, and authenticity. We need to consider preserving these things without overpowering digital use. It’s a common fact now that the world depends on technology for many things, but sometimes the line between physical and digital gets too blurred. We need to keep in mind that forms of art that have been produced physically are crucial to be reserved. Digital media has also warped people’s ability to appreciate and understand physical forms of art, like vinyl, books, etc.
Physical books are quite a burden to society nowadays, as many replacements have been made to counter picking up a book. There is significance and beauty to reading a physical book, whether that is for learning or leisure, and digital copies water it down. According to “The Case for Paper: Books vs. E-Readers” by Heather Rose Artushin, comprehension is significantly better with physical books than with digital; physical books help readers absorb and remember information better, and turning pages has proven to help the brain visualize information in different sections. Also, an eBook cannot replace the satisfaction of picking up a book and reading it in comfortable surroundings.
There are a wide variety of ways to listen to music today, and that is completely fine. Although preserving and continuing to purchase physical copies of music, my favorite being vinyl, is extremely important, vinyl works in such a complex way that it is impressive to see. Also, music sounds crisper and more special this way. Jack Vrolyk’s “The importance of collecting physical music” points out that physical music gives way more money to artists than streaming; CD’s have a higher bitrate than steamed music, which gives it better quality; and they provide a lot of novelty.
Digital media has affected the importance of physical forms of art, and it is our job to remind ourselves why we loved these things in the first place. Continue to buy books, vinyl’s, CDs, whatever you enjoy. Preserve forms of art that feel more authentic; it helps your well-being more than consuming everything off a screen.
