The rise of retro tech, and why Silicon Valley should be afraid
There is a growing trend towards retro technology as younger generations seek to unplug from modern devices. This shift reflects a desire for simpler, less attention-demanding tech, such as 'dumbphones' and nostalgic products like the Tin Can telephone. As concerns about mental health and the impact of technology rise, Silicon Valley may need to reconsider its approach to innovation.
- ▪A YouGov poll found that over two-thirds of people aged 18 to 29 want to reduce their screen time.
- ▪Sales of basic flip-phones have increased among Gen Z since the pandemic.
- ▪The startup Tin Can has sold hundreds of thousands of retro-style landlines in just a year.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Open this photo in gallery:Filip_Krstic/iStockPhoto / Getty ImagesShareSave for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free AccountNo matter your age, you may recall a childhood staple: the tin-can telephone. All you need is two tin cans and a string to connect them. You may not have understood how it worked at the time, but the vibrations of our voices travel from one can to the other along the string, providing a rudimentary and early lesson in technology: Usage dominates understanding. That holds true today, especially in the age of generative artificial intelligence, large language models, and other AI-led transformations of the past few years imposed onto our everyday lives.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Globe and Mail.
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