In a world of ever-accelerating technological advancements, the concept of “returning to analog” has started to surface in conversations about how we navigate these changes. What does it mean to step back into analog, and why does it resonate with so many of us?
In this episode of The Conscious Classroom podcast, Amy Edelstein explores this trend of speech and its meaning, bringing her insights as an educator, mindfulness practitioner, and systems thinker to the forefront. “Returning to analog” suggests a shift away from the digital saturation of our daily lives—a call to reconnect with something more tactile, visceral, and human. Yet, as Amy points out, the term itself is rooted in a technological metaphors, setting the unique nature of our humanity in a metaphor of a non-human process. She questions whether, if we want to truly assert the invaluable nature of our sentience and humanity, we must define it on its own terms.
The experience of what’s being referred to as analog—whether through music, relationships, or mindfulness practices—offers a powerful and moving reminder of our interconnectedness. Amy paints a picture from her memories of living in the era of vinyl records, (sound which is referred to as analog sound) when groups of friends would gather together to listen to an album in its entirety. The music wasn’t just sound; it was a physical, communal, and sensory experience. The crackle of the needle on the record, the warmth of the sound waves, and the shared attention created a space of presence and connection.
Contrast that bonding and sensory experiences with today’s digital landscape, where bytes of music stream instantly and relationships regularly take place mediated by screens. While technology offers convenience and innovation, it risks leaving behind the richness of human interaction and the messiness of relationships in real time. This “messiness,” Amy emphasizes, is precisely what develops our humanity. It is through love, conflict, synergy, and discord that we deepen our understanding of one another—and ourselves.
As educators, this exploration urges us to preserve our sense of connection and humanity. While technology and artificial intelligence (AI) become more of an integral part of our learning environments, let’s keep the context a human one. AI can foster expanded and personalized access to education, however students will lose out if we replace the critical role of human mentorship and emotional learning with only perfected technological interactions.
Mindfulness practices offer a pathway to maintain our connection with the wonder and preciousness of our sentience and in the podcast, Amy takes listeners through an evocative meditation, showing–through our breathing in the present–our connection with oxygen-creating distant stars from long long ago.
As we move forward, the challenge lies in integrating technology into education without losing sight of what makes us uniquely human. By leaning into mindfulness, compassion, and the richness of our shared experiences, we can create a future that honors both innovation and humanity. Let us not merely “return to analog” but aspire toward an evolution that holds the fullness of our humanity at its heart. Listen to the full episode of The Conscious Classroom podcast here.
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