Since the internet became a household staple, the question of whether physical or digital media is better has been a hot topic of discussion, especially amongst college students.
Many students value the accessibility, ease and comfort that comes with digital media, but other students prefer being able to display, own and touch their favorite songs, movies and shows. Interviews with students across Elizabethtown College’s cCampus may settle the debate once and for all or at least find a common opinion.
For Bailey Durofchalk, a first-year communications major, its appeal comes from speed and efficiency.
“I prefer digital media because it’s super accessible,” Durofchalk said. “It’s literally right there in the palm of my hand.”
His comment highlights one of the biggest reasons people love digital media: convenience. Because smartphones are always in reach, people have constant access to entertainment. The accessibility also allows people to watch movies on the go or listen to their favorite song on the bus.
Lilit Paranza, a first-year digital media production major, brought up one of the biggest strengths of digital formats.
“I like digital media because I can easily access anything at any time, I can have a collective archive of things and can search them,” Paranza said. “There’s never a worry of where it is because it’s on the internet and the internet is forever.”
Similarly, digital media is more disability-friendly and customizable to a user’s needs. Raelyn Campli, a first-year music therapy major, emphasized how customization makes her experience more enjoyable.
“I prefer digital media as someone with a visual impairment,” Campli said. “Digital media is much more accessible and versatile than physical media as there are ways to adjust settings and make it more efficient for each person.”
Technology is constantly evolving and things that were thought impossible a decade or two ago are a reality today. There are chairs that vibrate in sync with music for deaf people to literally feel the music, there are braille embossers and screen readers for people with poor vision, and technology is always advancing.
However, the rate at which technology advances also comes with downsides and unexplored possibilities.
Sarah June, a first-year public relations major, mentioned the threat AI poses to credibility online.
“I like physical media because with the trend of AI, you never know what’s real and not real anymore,” June said. “That takes away from the enjoyment of using digital media.”
As AI progresses, people are finding it increasingly difficult to distinguish between human-generated content and AI.
Kyleigh Dietrich, a first-year graphic design major, shared concerns about how information is controlled and shared online.
“Digital media can be a quicker source of reliable news,” Dietrich said. “But it’s a double edged sword, with digital media, it’s also much easier to censor, regulate, and even manipulate.”
Elyse Makara, a first-year psych major, emphasized how valuable a physical connection to your media is.
“I prefer physical because I feel as though there’s more emotional value to something you can hold,” Makara said. “As opposed to digital, which doesn’t engage your senses as much as physical does.”
Ultimately, the debate comes down to preference and values. If you value convenience, speed, and accessibility, digital media is the way to go. If you love to own your media, display it, and engage with it on another level, physical media is a match made in heaven. Either way, we can all enjoy great music, entertaining shows, and cinematic movies, even if it’s consumed in a different manner.
