Analog in a Digital World

I have a day job and recently was part of a company gathering where the company president gave a speech. The speech really inspired me to make this post as it really fits right in my wheel house. Be analog in a digital world. What does that look like?

Nowadays, kids are tied to their phones as well as their parents. Whether it be for social media, email, cameras, shopping or texting, the digital age is here.

Being analog is what I grew up with and it is foreign to my kids. If we wanted to talk to someone, we would call them. If we wanted to buy something, we would go to the store. We played outside and read books. Notes were taken by hand with paper and pen/pencil. Letters were a part of everyday life.

I have seen us as a society become so enamored with the ease of the digital  lifestyle. I have also seen the small revolution happening that is bringing the analog back. Here is what I mean.

I grew up with the local mom and pop style business and I saw the birth of the giant conglomerates that ended many of those family businesses. I am now seeing the swing of the populace embracing the mom and pop business again and shopping more locally. I am seeing the resurgence of customer service and more writing being done. Heck, my son even takes notes by hand now.

Being analog is picking up the phone to work on a solution with a fellow co-worker rather than sending yet another email. Being analog is writing a thank you note to a customer or friend. Being analog is looking for more of the human contact rather than a computer keyboard or screen. Being able to call a customer service line and speaking with a person rather than traversing a maze of department options or talking to the computer voice lady who never understands what you tell her anyways.

At work I prefer to call a co-worker to work on a project or ask a question. I write letters and prefer to shop locally rather than a chain. Handwriting my notes while others type them in on a tablet is my preference and I love the analog ways even though I do enjoy the conveniences of the digital landscape. Do you?