Analogue is in, so here's some offline inspo
From London-based book clubs to my friend's novel, I think we're all gonna benefit from a little analogue-ing of our lives in 2026. Here are some suggestions to get you started...
We're all getting offline in 2026, I guess – so say the "Trend Forecasters". If you follow me on TikTok main, you'll know I believe we're in a culture freeze, and anything being "predicted" has actually already happened. I think critiques of the trend as "Performance of Analogue for the Digital World" are incredibly true, but I do actually see a lot of my friends, and myself, going full analogue as the digital noise becomes excruciating.
Arguments online are quickly entering bad-faith territory, and we're trying to match infinite Digital media to finite human energy and resources. Having a career primarily in the digital space (which started as a very unique thing and is now kind of everyone's experience) is frying my brain like an egg, and with the Nano Bananas and the Soras et al., I think people are just tired of the sludge of it all. The dopamine receptors are tapped out; it's over. The casino is switching on the overhead lights, and people are leaving.
It's a very real instinct, and not one I'd discourage anyone from, as long as they're engaged in local politics and have a minimally biased way to keep up with world events.
If you are also choosing this path in 2026, to aid you, reader, I have a few offline things I'd like to share – tangible IRL stuff this year that I think you might enjoy.
Book Clubs (like It's Hardback Out Here)
If you're a bookworm in London and you're in your 20s, this is the coolest spot you can find to meet people. Their events are always good vibes, with a mixed crowd of all kinds coming together to enjoy the written word and the company of those who appreciate it. There's been a resurgence in all major cities, and quite a few small ones, including some virtual ones too, for those of us who avoid crowds unmasked 😷.
Bad Bunny on Tour
One of the best albums of this year hits the road, and as long as you're not in the USA, Benito is touring near you from now until July next year. Puerto Rico says the show goes crazy, and if you're UK-based, Tottenham Stadium is really well ventilated – get the dedicated bus there and back, or you'll get caught in the post-show melee.
Queering Him (Katherine Wela Bogen, Cat's Elbow Books)
My dear friend Katie, of "Hot Chef"/TikTok/Sexual Health Researcher fame, has written a book I had the honour of beta-reading a year or so ago. It's the start of an incredible series that covers navigating Bisexual adolescence and adulthood for all genders, Kink, masculinity, obsession, and desire with the tact only a true yearner with academic credentials could craft. You can preorder the book now, and it comes out in January, with a book tour to follow.
OBSCURAE Events
I had to plug us for real ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. If you're already part of our mailing list, you'll be receiving the chance to attend our events, so keep an eye on your inbox in the new year. We have Academy Awards events in March in London, Toronto, and New York, some events planned for Cannes in May, and, of course, our TIFF and LFF Mixers are all in the works. These events are a chance for us to celebrate and gather the amazing network of filmmakers, journalists, creatives, and cinephiles the publication has befriended. I'm really looking forward to seeing you all there!
Get a Camcorder. lol.
One that takes SD cards! That's my plan, anyway. Fun little way to add texture to your capture out in the world. Be prepared to be sick of me, aesthetically.
