Masuk Free Press

Although we live in the age of instant access, where every song, photo, and social media post is at our fingertips, there’s a growing trend that seems to celebrate the exact opposite: retro technology. Vinyl records, film cameras, and even flip phones have all made their way back to the mainstream to become objects of nostalgia and a sign of authenticity.

But what is really going on here? While so many of us claim to be enjoying these clunkier, outdated technologies for their quirkiness and retro appeal, we should maybe start to wonder: are we truly savoring the beauty of a simpler, more substantial life, or are we engaging in overconsumption all in the name of appearing “cool?” The thing is, the resurgence of retro technology has little to do with going back to the basics and everything to do with acquiring more products, whether we need them or not.

“My friend Gabby yelled at me because I bought three Owalas in different sizes. But I use the different sizes for different reasons,” said senior Aubrey Zvovushe-Ramos.

Zvovushe-Ramos is not alone in this fad. If you’ve spent any time scrolling through TikTok you’ve likely come across the phenomenon of “Overconsumption Core,” a trend where people proudly show their obsession with owning things from Stanley cups to lip glosses. It’s an aesthetic, sure, but one that’s deeply rooted in our desires to be perceived a certain way. People aren’t even buying these items for any real purpose other than to signal to the world that they are, in some way, more interesting or better than a person who does not have their 16 different colored Stanleys. And the popularization of retro tech is only making the matter worse. Where people could listen to music for free on Spotify, they choose to go out and buy $30 vinyls simply because they are hell-bent on spending money in the name of a certain aesthetic.

“Personally I think that when I use my digital camera it helps me disconnect from everything,” said senior Gabriella Assignon. “Like if I’m taking pictures on my phone, I am bound to go check Pinterest, but when I am hanging out with my friends and taking pictures with my camera, it keeps me in the moment and allows me to capture memories.”

While one can claim that part of the issue is that our generation has too much access to the world at their fingertips and cannot disconnect from social media without forcing themselves to with decades-old technology, I think that is just an excuse.

“People just want fire Insta feeds,” said Zvovushe-Ramos. “Who can blame them?”

And that’s just it. We claim to be disconnecting from the media with all of this old technology, but in reality, we are doing it to appear a certain way to our followers.

Meanwhile, the opposite trend is what others call “Underconsumption Core.” The pride in owning fewer items, managing to manipulate minimalism to prove that they are above the average consumer. 

“I’ve seen so many people post on TikTok about how they are underconsumption core because they only have one lip balm or blush or like mascara,” said senior Niti Shah. “I think it’s kind of stupid because that’s not underconsumption, that’s just normal.”

Most of these so-called minimalists are just the average person who gets what they need, not less. Additionally, it’s the same people who are finding their parent’s old film cameras and spending hundreds on film instead of using their phones. Maybe they have two lip balms versus the 15 of the overconsumers, but after they have spent large sums of money elsewhere on items to be perceived as a minimalist, it is clear that their habits are rooted in consumerism the same as everyone else’s. It’s a performative circle, really. Ultimately, we all play right into the same trap — desiring to appear different yet falling into the same habits.

We live in a world of ultimate convenience. Technologies that make our lives easier, such as streaming services, cloud storage and smartphones, have been designed to liberate us from the burden of physical media and storage. Nonetheless, we get records and film cameras anyway in the hope that we can create an image of ourselves that’s more interesting. You see it on TikTok, when people show off their large collections of records; it’s just as easy, if not easier, to stream their favorite albums for a fraction of the cost.  We see it when people post pictures from their disposable cameras knowing fully well that the photos they capture could easily be taken on their smartphones, with no need to wait for the film to develop. 

But it’s not about practicality; it’s about cultivating a curated image of yourself. It’s about showing the world that you’re not just another person on the digital treadmill mindlessly consuming what’s popular, but someone who appreciates the tactile, the old school, the “real.”

The obsession with retro technology points to a deeper problem within our culture: an obsession with image. When we buy a record player, we’re not just buying an item, we are buying a lifestyle. We are buying into an aesthetic that speaks to sophistication and uniqueness, but when is enough enough? When do we stop tying our self-worth to the things we have or the image we’re putting out, and instead begin to enjoy some of the conveniences that actually make our lives easier? 

So, this year, instead of asking strangers on TikTok for ideas of what to get for Christmas or what the new “it girl” accessory is, perhaps we should be asking ourselves: do I really need another thing to possess? Maybe we should be asking for less, so that way our loved ones won’t feel obligated to give more. Now is a good time to step back and ask: are we really embracing simplicity, or are we drowning in just another wave of excess? When it comes to technology — and life — sometimes less really is more.