physical media movement 2026

This is my first blog on here. Figuring things out little by little. In this blog post I kinda share what I view as the core of the physical media movement 2026, a bit of my opinions and the way I’d try to participate. I think half of this blog is how I’d try to participate and use this movement.
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You may, or may not have heard something about the physical media movement. From what I have understood it's a movement that wants people to start using physical media again for the following reasons:

1. "humans devolve"

2. "people become more dependent on technology" (for e.g. writing essays)

3. "embrace individuality again"

4. "to feel happier", because less social media, less negative content

Furthermore, physical media would lead to people hanging out more often, a rise in creativity and a decrease in receiving judgement from people, which leads to individuals becoming more confident with what they wear and lastly, individuals would stick less to trends which would lead to more unique things e.g. unique hairstyles etc. 

[ reasons and outcomes according to @avaldine on instagram ]

I mostly agree with these statements and actually love the fact that people actively think about this. These days, you don't own anything. Subscriptions have sneaked into media and entertainment, which I think is sad. Once you stop giving your money to for example streaming platforms, you technically can't watch it "legally" again, while when you used to pay for a DVD or something, it was yours and you could watch it again whenever you want, without having to pay monthly. Moreover, I am also tired of these microtrends; think of labubu, dubai chocolate and so on.

Although I think this movement is nice, I don't think most of it is very realistic to me. Today everything is linked with digital media. Want to login somewhere? Use an authenticator. Need to get somewhere you've never been? Maps. Want to see in how many minutes your bus will be at your stop? Check the app. 

And the list goes on…

Digital media is more efficient after all. So switching to, for example, a dumbphone, would in my opinion not be too practical, unless you’re like reaaally addicted to your smartphone alongside social media platforms. 

I also think that there are factors outside of social media that influence our mood. If you watch TV and open the news channel, I don’t think it’d make you too happy, but that is only one example. I think everything depends on you and your environment. Also, the part about that people would receive less judgement; I think people will always be judgemental, I think it’s a matter of whether you care about what they think or not. 

I think I wouldn’t completely switch to a dumbphone, but I’d try minimizing using my phone. I’d try to not open social media too often. I think I’d mostly open it if I need inspiration, while working on something creative or something like that or when I need entertainment, because there’s a specific form of memes that I really like, but I’d definitely limit the time.

I’m also a person who likes taking a lot of pictures. I love photography. I bought an old camera almost two months ago, because I like the effect it gives. I think taking pictures on the camera would make me take pictures even more carefully, due to the little space of the memory card it needs. I remember when I had an old phone with little space I’d also think more carefully. This could help me stop impulsively taking pictures of everything and anything I see (don’t know if that’s a thing, but yeah). Still need to buy some things for the camera. 

For music, I have a CD and Cassette player. I’ve already abandoned Spotify a few months ago, because of the controversy (ifykyk). But I think I’d just stick to another platform that is less worse than Spotify, since I lost the cable of the radio.

I’d also try to read more books on my interests and try to get back into my webtoon phase I once had. Also, watch more shows that I actually want to watch, instead of mindlessly scrolling. Again, opening the apps only for inspiration, recommendations, and limited entertainment, because what am I without those specific memes. Also to socialize with friends, but that’s that.

So, in short, I’d mainly stick to what I already have, because I feel like buying physical media online 2ndhand is somewhat expensive to me. If I ever buy some physical media again, it has to be from a flea market for a cheap price or something. Also, I’d try to get more disciplined and have control over myself again. My main goal is not to fully detach myself from social media, but to use it in a balanced way for my own good. 

For the rest I don’t know what could help me more. Hopefully this movement won’t die out too quick, because the media always find their way to get us back to excessively consuming. 

Make sure to check out @avaldine on Instagram, most of their posts are on this topic. Also, @savetheplanetsociety has one interesting post about it. Make sure to also check that out. 

What are your thoughts on the movement? And in what way would you participate?