The Revenge of Analog

Real Things and Why They Matter

By: David Sax

Narrated by: David Sax

One of Michiko Kakutani's (New York Times) top 10 books of 2016.

A funny thing happened on the way to the digital utopia. We've begun to fall back in love with the very analog goods and ideas the tech gurus insisted that we no longer needed. Businesses that once looked outdated, from film photography to brick-and-mortar retail, are now springing with new life. Notebooks, records, and stationery have become cool again. Behold the Revenge of Analog. David Sax has uncovered story after story of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and even big corporations who've found a market selling not apps or virtual solutions but real, tangible things. As e-books are supposedly remaking reading, independent bookstores have sprouted up across the country. As music allegedly migrates to the cloud, vinyl record sales have grown more than 10 times over the past decade. Even the offices of tech giants like Google and Facebook increasingly rely on pen and paper to drive their brightest ideas.

Sax's work reveals a deep truth about how humans shop, interact, and even think. Blending psychology and observant wit with first-rate reportage, Sax shows the limited appeal of the purely digital life-and the robust future of the real world outside it.

©2016 David Sax (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Downright satisfying!

Wait. Yes I’m an idiot. But just reviewing credits at end of audible book and realized that author and narrator are one in same. Making the whole experience even more of a resounding pleasure. Thank you!

a must read.

I liked very much listening to this book.
Had time to reflect on a lot of things about business, personal lifestyle, raising kids.

Nothing really new

The return of film, books, handwriting, vinyl are all well known. There was not much new here.
The above topics were beat to death (though I did love all the technical stuff about photo film).
I would have likes to see more about the analog-digital divide and the places and reasons that analogue is so much better for people.
There was really no Ergonomics or Human Factors Discussed.
Even simple things like buttons and dials coming back in automotives was skipped.
Not the book for deep thinkers about the topic.

Insightful and Fun

This book articulates everything you've been thinking for the past 25 years -- give us back the real because we are tired of the fake. David Sax reads his own book with conviction here and his premise is compelling. Give this a listen.

Great story hindered by technical issues

First off , great listen. To be true to the book it may be best to read. But if you are like me the only time I have is to listen during a commute.

Unfortunately the production of this book made it annoying. Words seem to be being clipped for compression purposes. I made it through but have higher standards for Audible to catch things like this.

fantastic

I've worked in tech my whole career. The chapters on ed tech and mediation will help me inform my colleagues. Overall, it provided conversation fodder and personal reflection. Thanks!

Great book. Simple yet profound big idea.

great storytelling. A lot of really interesting examples that people can identify with. Has a message that is much bigger than it seems.

Excellent Listen for Digital Devices.

Interesting story. Well researched and thought provoking. The best thing is that it is read by the author and the author has a great reading voice. I could listen to this guy read a phone book and I would be enthralled. That would be an analog example, a phone book.

Beautiful and insightful

Thank you Dàvid Sax. I have bought a white board, a moleskin and I will put my phone down more often.

Good, could have been better.

I've enjoyed the first two chapters, after that the book took a little bit of a boring narrative of story gathering of companies and people. The writer pulled it back together in the last chapter specially when talking about the set back of several digital projects in education technology.
The Audio was the worst thing in this audio book experience, I had to shove the puds deep into my ears to be able to hear the narrator once I was using the bus or in public places. In several places the editing and changes were very obvious and very annoying.