3 Benefits of Physical Goods in the Digital Age
Today, it’s undeniable that we are all deep in the digital age – and digital devices and tools of all sorts shape much of how we live on a day-to-day basis.
While all sorts of devices such as smartphones and tablets have emerged to help us to track and manage many aspects of our lives more smoothly, it’s also the case that various goods and services that were once physical have become increasingly digital over time.
For example, many people today won’t buy physical books or newspapers, but will instead get e-books, or will get their news from various websites.
There’s an argument to be made, though, that there are some real benefits to having physical goods, despite us being in the digital age.
Here are some of those benefits.
A more intimate in-person experience
Brochure printing services are still around today, in spite of the fact that so much marketing is now done online, largely because there are certain distinct benefits to actually being able to hold a brochure in your hand.
Ultimately, physical goods and products of various types naturally tend to provide a more intimate in-person experience, that engages more of our attention, and more of our emotional energy.
Digital services and products that you experience purely through a screen naturally tend to have an ephemeral and detached feeling about them, even when those services are very useful and prized.
Actually being able to touch anything and hold it in your hands can make a real difference.
A break from the screens
While there are many remarkable benefits associated with the ubiquitous digital devices that we all use today, there are also clear drawbacks associated with spending too much time in front of a screen on a day-to-day basis.
Writers such as Johann Hari have commented on the way in which too much screen time is one factor that seems to negatively impact people’s ability to focus, and it seems like too much time spent staring at a screen might also lead to an undermining of perspective, and increased impulsivity.
Getting away from the screens from time to time – ideally pretty regularly, and for pretty long stretches of time – may prove very helpful, and could potentially contribute to a significantly improved quality of life and sense of well-being.
Physical goods and products naturally tend to get our attention away from the screens for a while.
Focusing on one thing with reduced distractions
Focusing on one thing at a time with as few distractions as possible can be a very good thing in a number of different ways.
For one thing, focusing intently on one thing is a core requirement for achieving and entering into flow states, which will not only lead to things like enhanced productivity, but also to an increased sense of connection and well-being.
Focusing on one thing at a time may also reduce cognitive stress, and can help to develop the skill of focusing more, going forward.
Physical goods and products are often better suited to this kind of focus than digital tools and devices.