Is Analogue Really Back? A Skeptical Look at the Trend

The article questions the perceived revival of analogue media, arguing that while nostalgia drives interest in vinyl, print magazines, and disposable cameras, digital consumption still dominates. The author shares personal anecdotes about buying a record player that now collects dust, buying magazines but searching online for information, and taking disposable camera photos that never make it to Instagram. Data from Germany shows newspaper print sales halved from 21 million in 2005 to 10.5 million in 2025, while digital editions tripled to 3.3 million. In music, streaming grew 7.8% in 2024, with physical formats accounting for 14% of revenue. The wider entertainment market saw physical formats decline 16.9% and digital grow 4.1%. Berlin's famous DVD store closed in 2022. The article concludes that analogue is more a trend among collectors and creatives than a full comeback, but values its ability to slow down and be present.