Not everything needs to be digital!

This time I want to write a slightly different piece... I don't want to discuss a specific business model, a type of content, or a technological novelty. It's important to revisit a concept that the industry once acknowledged (or pretended to) some years ago... it's always good to remind ourselves and reaffirm certain understandings from time to time.

Not all content will be digital.

Just because it's digital doesn't mean it's better.

Digital doesn't replace the physical; it complements and amplifies it.

These are three premises that we should always keep in mind.

I also want to emphasize that just because I work with digital content doesn't mean I'm going to advocate for digital solutions in every situation, claim that everything should be digital, or assert that it fits every context. Not everything is or should be digital.

The digital realm certainly holds immense value, primarily in two key aspects: distribution and access. It's undeniable - anyone who denies this is simply being obstinate - that digital means help deliver more stories to more places; in a way that's easier, cheaper, faster, and more convenient.

It's also true that we can't deny that consuming digital content, regardless of the type, has become a reality in the routines of almost all of us, even those who criticize it. We can't deny that it would be better to use our phones as a medium for story consumption rather than trying to exclude screens from the equation.

Simultaneously, we can't ignore that we need to be mindful of screen time, that life doesn't solely happen on our phones, and that offline, physical experiences are wonderful!

The good news? It's not an either-or situation, but rather a combination of both, leading us into a life that has never existed before: all the joys of offline life, coupled with all the advantages of digital living.

It's nice to visit the beach and pay with mobile payment methods (no offense, Larissa Manoela), go on a vacation to an unfamiliar city and use Google to find a local restaurant, take a road trip with friends and use Waze for easy navigation, enjoy wine with friends while playing music through a mobile app's speaker.

It's wonderful to read a physical book while lounging in a hammock, but it's equally great to continue that story by listening through earbuds while cycling, or to read at night before sleep without disturbing those who share the room. It's about multiplying experiences, not building walls where you're either on one side or the other.

Therefore, this piece is my contribution to reminding us that if we follow the path of AND, we don't lose everything that the path of OR takes away from us :)