The Summer of Ludd: Gen Z’s Analogue Awakening

For the first generation to grow up with smartphones in their hands, the greatest act of rebellion may be putting them down. Across a growing movement of young adults, flip phones are replacing smartphones, cassette players are making a comeback, and offline experiences are becoming a deliberate response to life lived through algorithms. In this episode, we explore the rise of digital minimalism among Generation Z, tracing how frustration with social media, artificial intelligence, and constant connectivity has sparked a renewed appreciation for analogue living. From festivals celebrating disconnection to the return of tactile hobbies and retro technology, we examine why many young people are choosing presence over convenience in an increasingly online world. The story reveals a striking cultural reversal, where the generation raised on digital abundance is discovering that one of the rarest modern luxuries may simply be the freedom to unplug.https://www.economist.com/united-states/2026/07/09/rise-of-the-gen-z-luddite