The Analogue Idyll

Once the internet was hailed for its liberating capabilities, but it is now blamed for a host of societal ills. This volume pushes the boundaries of digital disconnection studies by exploring the significance of the "analogue" in our increasingly digital world, shedding light on its sociocultural and economic impacts. Once upon a time, in a golden age before the internet, social media, and smartphones, there existed an analogue world where people lived slower, simpler, and healthier lives that were more authentic, natural, and meaningful. This is the analogue idyll: a compelling narrative within contemporary culture celebrating the virtues of analogue media and offline experiences. Exploring the significance of the ‘analogue’ in our increasingly digital world, this timely contribution to studies about digital disconnection raises critical questions about the meaning of technology in our lives and societies, as public debates about the addictions, distractions, and harms of digital culture accelerate. Chapters 1 and 6 are available open access digitally under CC-BY-NC-ND licence.