Old Tech Making A Roaring Comeback!

1) Episode Summary Evan explores why “old school” tech is showing signs of a comeback—starting with landline-style phones—and why some people (especially younger generations) are intentionally stepping back from always-on screens. He shares how a listener conversation sparked research into reported trends around landlines, “landline mode” smartphone setups, and kid-focused devices that behave like a phone but are managed by parents. From there, he broadens the discussion to other retro returns—music players, physical media, and simpler devices—framing the appeal as fewer interruptions, fewer updates, fewer accounts, and fewer subscriptions. Evan contrasts the reliability and immediacy of older hardware with modern “smart” products that can become limited if servers shut down, then balances that with the real accessibility and independence gains smart tech can bring (screen readers, AI tools, rideshare, remote access, and more). He closes with personal examples of tech he’d happily keep (or go back to), including older operating systems, analog audio setups, call-in security, classic note takers, and a dedicated talking alarm clock—then invites listeners to share their own “what I miss / what I’d keep” tech preferences. 2) Contact Info Aftersight Feedback: [email protected] | (720) 712-8856 Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast & Program Producer (Aftersight) 3) Show Credits Host: Evan Starnes Producer: Jonathan Price Network: Aftersight 4) Chapter Markers 00:06 — Cold open: interrupted by the telephone (ironically) 02:28 — Why this topic: listener conversation + research rabbit hole 04:52 — Landlines, screen time concerns, and “landline-like” options 07:17 — “Landline mode” habits and the screen-time mindset shift 09:41 — Music/media nostalgia: iPods, CDs/records, and distraction-free listening 12:05 — Pro: fewer updates and faster “ready-to-go” devices 14:32 — Pro: fewer subscriptions and fewer forced accounts 16:36 — Pro/Con: smart devices can be “bricked”; note on open-sourcing as a fix 19:00 — Pro: remote access and modern convenience (when it works) 21:28 — Accessibility wins: smartphones, rideshare, AI tools, and independence 23:51 — Resilience angle: POTS vs VoIP and why it matters in outages 24:59 — Bridging old + new: adapters that let old phones work with cell service 27:07 — Personal tech preferences: simpler OS, analog stereo, and stable gear 29:26 — Assistive tech nostalgia: classic note takers and “offline-first” tools 31:36 — Alarm clocks and “make me get up” routines 33:38 — Listener call-in/email + closing message: “not everything needs to be smart” ★ Support this podcast ★