The modern internet has made consuming media easier than ever before. Just subscribe to your favorite streaming service, be it for music, audiobooks, games, or anything in between, sit back, and enjoy the show. It’s a very convenient way to live, and the future of streaming across the board looks fantastic. But at the same time, there are some feelings I never want to forget. That’s why, even if there are a few more steps involved, some things I’ll always choose to use physically rather than digitally.
I’m just as guilty of subscribing to far too many streaming services, just like most folks. But if I have the chance to snag something that I love physically? I’m going to make that happen rather than watching it on Netflix or streaming it on Spotify.
My father instilled his love of music via vinyl
And it’s something I still cherish to this day
Credit: Shaun Cichacki/MUO
Vinyl. LPs. Wax. Records. Whatever you want to call them, I call it heaven in audio form. From a young age, my father instilled his love of music in my soul with these magical platters of bliss, and I’ve found myself scouring every Goodwill bin in search of more to add to my constantly expanding vinyl collection. Using the same speakers he gifted me years ago, we still find time to sit down together and spin a record or two, listening to anything from Pink Floyd to Tatsuro Yamashita.
Maybe it’s the sound quality, or the crackling noise of older records getting their chance to shine once more. But in my eyes, even though I grew up with a non-skip portable CD player, I still find comfort in plopping down a vinyl and just letting it spin and serenade me. Sure, some of these can be expensive, but listening to Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty on wax hits all the right notes.
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Retro games don’t hit the same on modern hardware
I love bolstering my retro collection up
There are a lot of different ways that you can play retro games nowadays. From dedicated handhelds that specialize in just that, or even purchasing “remastered” versions of games on modern hardware. But for me, nothing quite beats the feeling of the original controller in your hand, and playing it on a CRT, as it was originally intended to be.
I have a vast collection of consoles, from the Atari 7800+ to more “modern” consoles like the Wii, connected to a CRT in my office. But what good are a bunch of consoles without games? I’ve been collecting some of my favorite titles for years now, and now that I have my own home, I can jump into anything whenever I’d like. Yes, I make sure to use isopropyl alcohol on my cartridges instead of blowing in them — but I still do the old trick on occasion for nostalgia’s sake.
A dedicated music player for long trips or workdays
Revamping my old iPod was an incredibly fun project
Credit: Shaun Cichacki/MUO
As much as I love my vinyl, I can’t bring it with me everywhere I go. That’s where my heavily modified iPod comes into play. Rather than clogging my phone up with streaming apps that may not work depending on where I’m driving, I can throw some music on this beast and call it a day. Regardless if I’m buying my music from stores or ripping it from CDs to play on the go, there are a ton of ways I can load this bad boy up with tunes.
After installing a 3,000mAh battery here, it means that I can listen to it for hours before it dies out. Even though the iPod is out of fashion at this point, a dedicated music player is a great way to focus primarily on the music. Or audiobooks, podcasts, or whatever else you decide to load on here. You could watch Shrek more times than you could count on this bad boy before the battery finally wears out.
Storage Capacity
Up to 1TB
Compatible Devices
iPod Classic
Brand
iFlash
Movies and TV shows are always coming and going
But getting them on DVD or Blu-ray keeps them in my home forever
Brady Meyers / MakeUseOfCredit: Brady Meyers / MakeUseOf
Growing up, I didn’t have cable television. I had the local channels, so watching Saturday morning cartoons was my escape for a while. But my grandparents did have cable, which is where I got to see shows like SpongeBob Squarepants for the first time in my life. Living out in the middle of nowhere when I was growing up, my parents got me VHS tapes filled with Nickelodeon shows, and my love of physical media started sprouting from there.
Even now, I still prefer to get my hands on physical seasons of shows, as well as my favorite movies. Sure, the picture quality has vastly improved from my VHS-watching days. But whenever Hannibal goes off whichever streaming service it’s currently on, I don’t need to worry about it returning, since all three seasons are sitting on my shelf.
While I love my Kindle, I still adore physical books
Sometimes, you just can’t beat the feeling of a book in your hands, you know?
Credit: Shaun Cichacki/MUO
I’ve spent a lot of time organizing my digital library of books, but at the end of the day, I’ll always have a soft spot for physical books in my life. After my uncle passed away last year, I inherited a large collection of his books — he was interested in a variety of different subjects, from how to achieve true Zen to different parts of the religious world. Now, a selection of these books adorn my living room, letting me grab them whenever I would like to sit down and see what he was looking into.
Not only that, but I can ride my bike down to the local library, which is just a few blocks from me, if I’m looking to borrow a few more books. Books can be rather expensive nowadays, so having a way to expand my horizons and read whatever I’d like, whenever I like, is a blessing in disguise.
Physical board games > Digital board games
Nothing beats getting a group of nerds together for a game night
Credit: Shaun Cichacki/MUO
Sure, games like Baldur’s Gate 3 take the D&D experience and make it incredibly easy to play in digital form. But when it comes to games with complex storylines and physical pieces, I’m always going to opt for physical versions. Games like Super Dungeon Explore, or even Monopoly, are much more enjoyable when you’re playing with friends.
Both my wife and I have been playing board games since our youth, and we’ve amassed a solid collection of different games over the years. At this rate, I don’t think we’ll ever stop grabbing more when we see them. I can’t picture playing Boggle on my phone, but I love it in real life.
It all boils down to personal preference
Even with a varied and vast assortment of different physical items, I still subscribe to different streaming services, game services, and everything in between. Whenever the chance allows, though? I’m always on Team Physical, as nothing quite beats sliding a disc or slamming a cartridge into your favorite gaming console.
If you’re not in the same boat as me, there’s no shame to be had by any means. Some people prefer digital for the convenience, for ease of access and use, and even for storage. Believe me, my office looks like something out of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse due to the amount of stuff I have, and if you’re living in 2000 and late instead of 2008 like me, there’s nothing wrong with that by any means. But just know if you ever stop by, I’ll be chatting your ear off about my vinyl collection.
