I was going to type something up about my favorite watch the Casio F91w but it got me thinking about LCD segmented displays, typewriters, mp3 players, and all of the things that would now be under the umbrella of "retro tech". Sure these were things that were new and novel at some point but now have their functions usable by phones and computers.
This is fine but I've been seeing a trend of "retro tech" devices being marketed as a way to "unplug" or be "distraction free" or whatever. What we are talking about here are tools. When I look at my Casio F91w watch I am not thinking that I am more "in the moment" because I didn't look at a cell phone to see the time and the date, I am just using a tool that works better than a cell phone for its intended purpose. (I can glance at my wrist to get the time, date, and day of the week, and the battery lasts for 10+ years)
I understand the backlash to technology but I think we just need to look at the things that we interact with as tools to achieve a goal. I used a razorblade to scrape gunk off of a surface. I used scissors to cut paper. I wore shoes outside. I used a phone to communicate with a friend. If you have a distraction problem then uninstall the social media apps. You don't need "retro tech" as a way to fix your distraction problem, maybe just try out a different tool to achieve a goal like listening to an mp3 or taking a picture.
my biggest concern about phones and computers is surveillance, but that is a different topic