The way we consume and purchase media has changed since the inception and availability of digital media. For virtually every show or movie in mind, there is a streaming service, while a digital selection of books is widely available after a Google search or in online stores. Digital media is ubiquitous, but there are aspects that make its physical counterpart irreplaceable and, in some cases, even better. This, I believe, is mostly seen in the aspects of ownership and sentimental value.
Ownership is best described in a 2016 Vox article “Why DVDs and Blu-rays remain essential in the age of streaming”, where the author wrote: “Ownership means having a physical object that you can see, touch, hold and display on your shelf. It means connecting with the thing itself, knowing that it is yours.” Consider the example of movie streaming sites that allow you to watch movies and shows on repeat, that is until they are removed from the platform.
Netflix, a widely known streaming platform, explained on its website that its selection of movies and shows works in terms of licensing agreements and if they are not renewed, they are removed. This is an area where physical media is better, as when you purchase a movie or show in formats like Blu-ray or DVD, you actually own and get to keep these items. Each purchase can not only be physically touched, but can be watched without fear of them ever disappearing or worrying about switching to a new platform to see it. The sense of ownership from a physical product that you paid for is undeniable.
Aside from ownership, another important aspect to consider is the feelings and memories that you can associate with a physical item that cannot always be found in its digital counterpart. Taking books as an example, having a free PDF copy of a favourite book or reading one on Kindle may not always carry the same sentimental weight as owning it in a paperback or hardcover, especially when the book itself has a certain feeling or memory attached to it.
As a Stephen King fan, one of the best gifts I have ever received was a copy of my favourite novel that was brought back from Malaysia, which also came with an inscribed note. Not only did I receive a copy of one of my favourite author’s works, but I have a copy that holds important memories that cannot be transposed digitally. It will always have more value to me than if I had got a digital version, and perhaps others may find the same feelings in particular items that they own.
Digital media comes with a multitude of conveniences and it has undoubtedly been welded into the modern life. However, one cannot discredit physical media and the areas in which it outperforms its digital counterparts, particularly in the aspects of ownership and sentimental value. Physical media is not only still relevant in the modern world, but irreplaceable.
