Physical media is better than digital media. I’ve always held this opinion, and I can never be convinced otherwise.

Physical media gives a clearer idea of ownership and means more to people.

Ownership of media is important to me for several reasons.

Music and video game discs might require physical storage, but you don’t need to rely on a third-party company to stream music or games.

The only interaction you’ll have with a company is the initial order and any online content that is secondary to the actual game.

I also feel better owning the physical piece of media.

It genuinely feels like mine, and I don’t have to worry about having internet access or subscriptions to use the media.

I am always worried that Spotify or Steam will stop providing services one day and I will lose all the digital media that I collected

and enjoy.

With physical media, I only have to worry about breaking it.

The ability to use media is within my control, not the company’s control.

I believe that is true ownership. I don’t feel like I own digital games and music.

Similarly to music and games, I really enjoy physical photographs.

I use Polaroids and film cameras to capture the important moments in my life.

I feel like I truly own the picture and, therefore, own the moment.

Taking a photo with a phone is very convenient, but it diminishes the importance of photography.

I always worry about iCloud backups and whether my photos will transfer fully to my new phone.

Digital photos are convenient, but again, it doesn’t really feel like true ownership when ownership is digital.

Having physical media means more to people.

Instead of a digital library of games, photos and music that have no size or definition,

I like to have binders and physical displays.

Vinyl is incredibly cool to show off and deepens the meaning of listening to music as a hobby.

Having these collections creates a hobby that can help define who you are.

A physical photo album means more than a link to a shared photo drive.

A game disc can truly be a collectible to some people.

A disc or vinyl can sound better and feel more authentic.

I don’t dislike digital media.

It is incredibly useful for sharing and is very convenient.

I’ve taken so many pictures, listened to so much music and played an endless number of games digitally on my phone and computer.

But I will always prefer having physical pieces of media.

Ownership is something that feels necessary for my hobbies, and my hobbies mean more because I truly own media.