Thomas Marnella | Social Media Editor
January 16, 2026
While almost every high school student carries an expensive phone with a spectacular camera, an increasing number of teens have begun to choose an affordable, disposable camera for their photography. Physical media like disposable cameras, record players, and DVDs, which were new technology decades ago, are becoming popular with younger generations. However, this revival was not unexpected. Trends like Y2K fashion have been trendy for years now, leaving Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha searching for old fads to make new again. This increase in physical media consumption poses the question; What keeps these former trends in style?
Like other trends, the return to physical media has made its way to San Clemente High School. Andrea Trejo, a sophomore, explained that, “even though getting the photos processed is kinda a hassle, [disposable cameras] just make me look so good in photos.” If you have ever attended school dance photos at Pines Park, you know that this is not an unpopular opinion.
However this is not the only form of revived physical media that is prominent at our school. Probably even more popular, record players and vinyl records have been a crucial addition to most people’s bedrooms. Student Maya Saggar said, “I like being able to physically see my music instead of it being inside of an app. Plus, I can connect my record player to my speakers.” As society invites old technology in, new technology remains an important asset.
While it is established that the physical media has reached our school, it is crucial to understand trends started in the first place. Mallory Barkley, a writer for A Magazine, wrote, “[As a society,] we tend to romanticize the past, especially when [fashion or technology] reminds us of a better time in history or fond memories of our own. This is why nostalgia is one of the biggest factors in why old trends start to [arise].”
Regarding this statement, Trejo added, “Yeah, I think so. Even though our generation wasn’t even alive, I think we still feel an attachment based on what we have seen growing up in movies and stuff.” Because of what has been portrayed in the media, this nostalgia for a time we never experienced can be felt by all generations alike.
On the surface, it seems like the appeal of physical media is in its vintage style or personal preferences, but all returning trends often start with nostalgia. People crave the golden ages, where time felt much more simple and calm. With the high tensions and alarming problems of today, simply putting on a record allows people to feel at peace for a moment.
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