UlasanAnime.com – The landscape of personal electronics and their integration with our lives is undergoing a significant shift, moving away from the all-encompassing smartphone and towards a “divergence” where individual devices offer unique experiences. This trend is exemplified by the resurgence of film cameras, a concept that resonates with the long-running anime series Tamayura.
An article discussing the convergence of personal electronics highlights this evolving trend. It defines “divergence” as a phenomenon where devices operating independently of smartphones become more compelling than the phones themselves. When these devices do connect to a smartphone, it’s merely a secondary function.
Let’s call this the divergence: when experiences and devices that operate independently of a smartphone become more interesting than the phones themselves. And when these devices do connect to a smartphone, it’s only a sidebar.
I have a number of theories about the divergence, but the one I keep coming back to the notion that smartphones (and computers, in a sort of general sense) have gone from being exciting signifiers of the future to well-understood parts of daily life that we simply take for granted. The magic of watching things like music and photos converge into a smartphone screen was partially based on novelty — a new, better way of creating and consuming media. Once the new becomes the traditional, it’s only natural for people to look for something else once again.
Add in the fact that the enormous millennial generation is now part of the workforce and has discretionary income to spend, and the market for divergent products and services begins to take shape: if smartphone convergence was all about virtualizing everything into smartphone apps, divergence is all about physical experiences that command attention away from the phone.
“It’s an add-on, not a replacement,” says Racked style editor Nicola Fumo. “You have a phone with Spotify for the subway but at home you create an ‘experience’ with vinyl records. You have a phone camera for in-the-moment stuff, and a film camera for thoughtful photos (which will probably wind up on Instagram or Tumblr). The notes app on your phone for quick stuff, and a Moleskine for journaling.”
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This is a complete flip from the 1980s tech culture I grew up in, where even the faintest whiff of technology meant something was improved; the word DIGITAL was stamped on boomboxes and answering machines like a cult talisman. Convergence was about prioritizing convenience above all, a good-enough camera and music player and movie theater permanently in your pocket. Divergence is about prioritizing quality of experience to create meaning.
“I think it’s rooted in millennials preferring experiences over stuff,” says Fumo. “Traveling to Thailand is cooler than having a fancy purse.” But the divergence means that you can buy tangible stuff that creates experiences. That film camera isn’t just a fussy way to take photos, it’s a way of saying that this moment is valuable. Is that true? It is if you want it to be!
While the concept of convergence enabling new experiences like constant selfies and social media oversharing is acknowledged, the article suggests that splitting functionalities out can restore specific modes of interaction. This can be due to technical limitations, such as the optics of photography, or as a deliberate feature, like using a turntable. The series Tamayura, which has been running since 2010, serves as an example of this divergence, showcasing how different physical modes of interaction and the details that define particular experiences are not replaced by their functional equivalents.
This trend also touches upon the complex relationship between consumers and commerce. While extreme consumerism exists, there’s a distinction between those who buy into trends versus those whose needs are genuinely met by their purchases. The article posits that everyone buys things to fulfill needs, from basic necessities to enjoyment.
Several examples illustrate this point:
- The contrast between individuals purchasing the latest iPhone as a status symbol versus those opting for budget Android phones that meet their functional requirements.
- The distinction between “gacha” players who engage for enjoyment and social obligation, and those who simply desire the specific item they are aiming for.
These examples highlight the nuanced motivations behind consumer choices in the current market.
PS. One can only speculate about the future spending habits of Tamayura fans as they mature and gain disposable income; perhaps they will collectively invest in Sony A-6000 cameras.
