The whir of a CD getting ready to play a classic movie. The grain of a record being scratched to the B side of a new album. The tear of last month’s calendar page. Major sounds from decades before that were once recognized as daily items. Today, these have been replaced by a single touch.
In the past, most utilities served a single purpose. People used record players/CD players to listen to music. To call somebody, there were pay phones or landlines installed in every household. With every decade passing, utilities became condensed into more convenient devices. Instead of having to carry a CD player, planner, flip phone, notebook, map, contact book, digital camera, calculator and watch, these were all combined into one—the smartphone.
The smartphone was a revolutionary invention. The internet, camera and computer were placed into consumers’ pockets, transforming everyday life instantly. The first official smartphone was released in 1994 by International Business Machines. Named the IBM Simon, this smartphone featured a touchscreen, faxing, email and apps such as a calendar, calculator and notepad. Although it was discontinued after six months due to its one-hour battery life, the IBM Simon paved the way for smartphones and ushered in a new generation of technology.
Today, all of these functions are satisfied with one thin, aluminum rectangle: the modern smartphone. Whether the average person uses an iPhone or an Android, today’s smartphone has replaced at least 15 different devices, according to CNET.
Although the smartphone has created convenience for people all around the world, there has been a surge of people returning to old technology. This is due to Gen Z and Millennials wanting to unplug from the doomscroll and embrace a low-tech lifestyle. Trends include using flip phones, digital cameras, vinyl records and wired headphones.
This trend is not only increasing online, but at West High as well. 73% of students surveyed said that they saw more old technology being used at West High, and 58% of students said they preferred old technology over modern technology.
At West High, students embrace the uniqueness of old technology and disconnecting from social media. Myra Crawford ‘26 reads a physical newspaper every day in place of the news app on her phone.
“When I look at the news app on my phone, I start scrolling and then all of a sudden it’s been an hour. When it’s the newspaper, there’s an end. I read what I’ve got for the day, and then that’s all,” Crawford said.
Crawford wasn’t influenced by trends online to begin reading the newspaper, but has the habit implemented because of her family.
“My family’s always had the newspaper delivered ever since I can remember. It’s just been something I always do when I’m eating breakfast or when I’m just sitting at the kitchen in the afternoon. I guess just out of habit, that’s why I prefer [newspaper],” Crawford said.
Crawford prefers newspapers since online news sites tend to be overwhelmed with advertisements that make them glitch, and she trusts the credibility of print over news on social media.
“Pick up your local newspaper. It’s actually pretty interesting and it’s definitely a different experience than what you get online,” Crawford said.
While not every student reads a physical newspaper, lots of Trojans have been listening to music on older devices. By transitioning to CDs and DVDs, Moss Stutsman ‘27 has escaped the pressures of advertisements and subscription-based applications.
“It’s much cheaper than subscription-based stuff. I think people are tired of subscriptions; I think it’s annoying and invasive,” Stutsman said.
Maggie Ebinger ‘29 uses her record player to listen to music instead of using Spotify or other music streaming platforms.
“There’s something good about the experience of getting to listen to a whole album that you don’t get with Spotify. Modern technology is obviously much more convenient, so I guess it depends on what you’re using it for. I just listen to music for fun because I enjoy it, so it works for me,” Ebinger said.
While Stutsman appreciates people trying to transition into using old technology, he advises against this becoming a trend, as it can become wasteful.
“I think people need to be more aware of how they’re consuming things and what they buy. I think old tech generally is helpful with that, but if you view it as a trend, then I don’t think you’re being actually observant of it,” Stutsman said.
Gwen Smith ’26 believes that old technology will help people appreciate the media more than streaming that same content.
“I think we should go back to [old technology] because it will help people who consume the media. If Benson Boone puts out a CD, you can choose not to buy the CD. But if you really like him, they you can buy the CD and you can have it and no one can be mad at you for listening to it,” Smith said.
Smith believes that people are returning to old technology as a way to enjoy media with a vintage medium.
“I think people want to enjoy their media again. People are so sick of the weird corporate cycle of the production of media. People crave the physical things that we used to have,” Smith said.
Even though the usage of old technology is increasing at West High and online, Smith believes that lots of people use old technology to show off and should instead appreciate their value.
With the increasing use of old technology, more people are embracing a disconnected lifestyle, whether that be online or at West High. The usage of items such as record players, digital cameras and more have helped give old technology a new life in a modern world.
