The vinyl record is experiencing a global revival, representing a cultural shift that has led to a re-evaluation of analog characteristics and ownership value. In the United States, approximately 43 million vinyl records were sold in 2023, generating around $1.4 billion in revenue – twice that of CD sales. In the UK, 6.1 million units were sold, showing an 11.8% increase from the previous year, marking the highest figure since 1990. Notably, most of the top-selling albums in 2023 were new releases, indicating that sales aren’t merely driven by nostalgia.

The upward trend in vinyl record sales isn’t a recent phenomenon but has persisted for over a decade. This period has been about selectively preserving the advantages of analog in an increasingly digital market. This pattern isn’t limited to pop culture; similar examples exist in biotechnology. A prime example of analog technology complementing modern techniques is traditional fermentation. Fermentation technology remains crucial in biopharmaceutical production, and many laboratories still use physical record-keeping alongside digitized experimental data. This approach helps compensate for the vulnerabilities of digital data while fostering creative thinking. Additionally, classical biological approaches based on direct observation in natural ecosystems maintain their significance even in the era of digital analysis. In genetic technology, while innovative techniques like CRISPR play a leading role, traditional methods such as mutation induction and plant-derived drug discovery remain competitive, paralleling vinyl’s revival.

Vinyl and biotechnology share common elements of ‘sustainability’ and ‘psychological satisfaction.’ Vinyl complements the impersonal and intangible nature of digital music streaming, while analog methods in biotechnology enable efficient and human-centric approaches. This demonstrates that technological advancement doesn’t necessarily replace traditional methods but can evolve alongside them in a complementary relationship.