It has been a number of months now since I contributed an “analogue article” that stresses the need for us to not discount the technology of the past. Moreover, in the past few months, I have pointed out that I generally feel that the present state of modern digital technology is teetering in the balance of being more harmful than beneficial when it comes to personal privacy and lack of unbiased control. Thus, it should come as no surprise that I am a proponent of analogue solutions like shortwave radio and handwritten solutions to communication. So, I admit that I am not only a shortwave radio listener, because it cannot be simply cut off by a malicious agency or government can turn off the Internet or restrict access to certain platforms, but that I am also a content creator for WRMI Shortwave Radio International. This station has 14 transmitters that broadcast worldwide on a variety of frequencies. An example of its positive use is that it enables people in the Ukraine to listen to broadcasts by Radio Ukraine despite the attacks by Russia that interrupted television, radio and the Internet in the Ukraine. A listener only needs an inexpensive radio that includes the shortwave band to hear the latest news. Moreover, unlike with the Internet or cellphone, the listener cannot be traced or tracked by anyone. Another benefit is that a radio can easily be powered by batteries when the power grid is attacked, and some radios are able to be solar powered, which eliminates the need for batteries altogether. Just think about it, no subscriptions, no service providers with monthly fees. Yes, that is a big win for analogue over digital, not only in war torn areas, but also in rural, isolated, and impoverished locations.
My second example is the simple handwritten letter. It too is analogue. Presently, I am leading a Lenten project every Sunday morning before church called, “The Sunday Scriptorium”. Over the 6 Sundays of Lent, a group meets in one of the church’s rooms for 30 minutes before that start of Sunday worship to sit down together and write out by hand their favourite letter of the New Testament. Some folks use simple ballpoint pens or gel pens, but each participant was also given an old-fashioned dip pen and small bottle of ink to take home to try or practice writing their letter at home during the weeks of Lent to understand how this letter was transmitted to us over the centuries. The comments that come up in our discussions before and after our half hour session are enlightening, as the copying process slows people down and gives them more time to engage with the words as they write. Another blessing for analogue. (Yet another benefit is that your handwritten copy will never be exposed to the threat of a tariff by a foreign book publisher’s country!)
Lastly, let me explain something to you that most people are not aware, namely, if you post an anologue letter through the post office, you generally have more privacy than by using email or a social media platform. Most modern operating systems on your computer, like Microsoft Windows or Apple have key loggers that are aware of exactly what you are typing. It is part of the telemetry that they say will improve your typing and document construction. The problem is that this “benefit” knows the email content even before it is encrypted. It is true that your email will be encrypted when pressing the send button, but as you can appreciate, your operating system knows what you have typed before you press the send button! Tampering with a posted sealed analogue letter without a warrant is a criminal act. Not so in the digital world. Another “plus” for analogue. (By the way, Linux does not have this telemetry feature built into its operating system, and its open source nature precludes any “hidden” features.)
In conclusion, a blending of the old and the new technologies gives you the best opportunity to make the best choices for your situation. In the present case, keep your options open.
Rev. Martin Dawson (retired and living in Cornwall, PEI)