While I would argue that the writer is confusing the distinction between digital and physical vs digital and analogue, this piece is interesting.
Also, I now really want to visit that shop in Hamner, Ontario.
I don’t think people are quitting streaming and rushing to buy VHS tapes and CDs, they’re just choosing 1 or 2 streaming apps instead of 3 or 4 because they are both getting worse and more expensive. There’s also the fact that piracy is back to being a more seamless (and y’know, cheaper) experience.
But regardless that shop looks really fun and I like that awareness of renting v owning your media is finally getting through to folks.
I saw an article a few days ago that said that sales of physical media (specifically CDs, IIRC) are up significantly, but there doesn’t seem to be a corresponding decrease in streaming popularity.
That piece suggested that the “collectible” factor may be greater than any streaming backlash.
I read that too! I should have said I think both things are true, I’m just not sure they’re tightly correlated.
