Curiosity Weekly – "The Analog Movement" (April 8, 2026)

Host: Dr. Samantha Yammine
Guest: Dr. Natalia Chlori, Postdoctoral Researcher at UC Davis
Main Theme: Exploring the science behind the analog movement, digital fatigue, and our brains' response to tech overload, plus a discovery about why horses whinny and new hypotheses on the rise of nearsightedness.

Episode Overview

This episode examines the growing analog movement—society’s renewed fascination with non-digital, tangible experiences in response to "digital fatigue." Host Dr. Samantha Yammine and guest expert Dr. Natalia Chlori dive into scientific research about attention, the mental health impacts of digital media, and the cognitive and emotional benefits of analog activities. The episode also features a fascinating look at horse vocalizations and recent scientific findings on the global rise in nearsightedness (myopia).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Science of the Horse’s Whinny (01:18–05:20)

• Unique Sound Production: Horses produce their whinny using "biphonation"—blending a low frequency (vocal cord vibration, ~200 Hz) and a high frequency (laryngeal whistling, >1,000 Hz) simultaneously.
• Experimental Methods: Researchers blew air (and then helium) through deceased horses’ larynxes. Helium caused only the high-pitched part to increase in frequency, confirming the dual-source mechanism.
• Evolutionary Context: Horses are the only known large animal to produce such a sound via simultaneous vibration and whistling. This may help them convey multiple emotional messages at once.

“Imagine trying to whistle while humming. That's the kind of vocal gymnastics that horses are pulling off.”
— Dr. Samantha Yammine (04:27)

2. Introduction to the Analog Movement (07:12–07:44)

• Digital Overload: People are seeking tangible, non-digital experiences—reading books, using film cameras, or playing vinyl records—to counteract the overwhelm from screens.
• Expert Introduction: Dr. Natalia Chlori joins to discuss scientific insights into digital fatigue, attention, and mental health.

3. Digital Fatigue and the Brain (07:46–10:21)

• Compulsive Media Use vs. Addiction: While some reward mechanisms overlap with addiction, the relationship is nuanced and influenced by social factors.
• Staggering Stats:
  • Average phone use exceeds 6 hours/day
  • People check devices up to 200 times/day
  • 20% of university students meet criteria for social media addiction
  • 25% of children/adolescents show problematic smartphone use
• Consequences: Disrupted sleep, reduced productivity, higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide risk

“Six hours per day, with individuals checking their devices up to 200 times daily...if you're focusing and then all of a sudden you just check your phone for one second, but you do that 200 times a day—that can be really challenging.”
— Dr. Natalia Chlori (09:12)

4. Attention in Digital vs. Analog Activities (10:21–12:06)

• Cognitive Differences:
  • Analog tasks (like handwriting) result in better retention than typing.
  • "Intentionality"—being present and focused—is greater during analog tasks.
• Role of Mindfulness: Activities that cultivate intentionality (e.g., journaling, meditating) help counteract the fragmented attention associated with digital engagement.

5. Psychological Benefits of Analog Engagement (11:53–13:14)

• Presence and Mindfulness: Being present is harder with constant digital stimuli and fear of missing out, which correlates with problematic media use.
• Coping Mechanism: Digital media can become an avoidance strategy to deal with stress, providing short-term relief but potential long-term harm.

“Presence is very important in mindfulness...Fear of missing out is shown to be a predictor of problematic media use.”
— Dr. Natalia Chlori (12:26)

6. Analog Movement – Societal Drivers (13:14–15:22)

• Shared Experience: People use digital platforms to discuss moving away from digital, highlighting universal awareness of screen fatigue.
• Time Loss Analogy: Losing six hours daily to digital consumption is likened to your car breaking down for six hours every day.
• Short-term Reward, Long-term Stress: Compulsive media use often starts as a coping mechanism, but the stress accumulates.

7. Mental Health, Clinical Observations, and Context (15:22–19:05)

• Mental Health Risks: Higher depression and anxiety rates among heavy digital users, with unique developmental implications for younger generations.
• Clinical Diagnosis Lagging Behind: No standard clinical diagnosis for media addiction yet, though "gaming disorder" is recognized in some contexts.
• Environment Matters: A classic study shows that children with poor attention in classrooms have improved focus in a green, outdoor setting.

“You put them in a green outdoor space...their sustained attention is just as strong as all of the other kids. It’s not just about individual vulnerability; the context matters.”
— Dr. Natalia Chlori (17:45)

8. Is the Analog Movement a Passing Trend? (19:05–20:04)

• Here to Stay? Dr. Chlori expresses optimism, emphasizing that as research evolves and management tools improve, analog engagement could play a long-term role in balancing digital life.
• Self-initiated Change: Individuals need effective strategies to self-regulate digital habits.

9. Practical Analog Swaps & Personal Habits (20:04–21:00)

• Examples from the Hosts: Both Sam and Natalia endorse switching to pen-and-paper notebooks for writing and agenda keeping.
• Boundaries: Natalia mentions using a flip phone to create clearer boundaries between communication and digital noise.

“Anything that you’re trying to maintain in your mind, just put it on paper. It makes it so much easier...just those small steps are very meaningful.”
— Dr. Natalia Chlori (20:18)

Notable Quotes

• On Dual-Mode Horse Vocalization:
  “Imagine trying to whistle while humming. That's the kind of vocal gymnastics that horses are pulling off.” — Dr. Samantha Yammine (04:27)

• On Digital Time Drain:
  “Imagine your car broke down every day. You had to spend six hours every single day and you don't have that time back.” — Dr. Natalia Chlori (13:39)

• On Analog Mindfulness:
  “Presence is very important in mindfulness...Fear of missing out is shown to be a predictor of problematic media use.” — Dr. Natalia Chlori (12:26)

• On Practical Changes:
  “Anything that you’re trying to maintain in your mind, just put it on paper. It makes it so much easier...just those small steps are very meaningful.” — Dr. Natalia Chlori (20:18)

Deep Dive: New Hypothesis on Nearsightedness (22:49–26:28)

• Beyond Screens: The rise in myopia (nearsightedness) may be more about prolonged close-up focus in dim lighting (e.g. reading, using phones in low light) than screens per se.
• Key Study: Using special glasses, researchers found that people with myopia have overactive eye adjustments (constriction & inward turning) during close-up tasks—especially with high-contrast objects and in dim light.
• Implication: Less light reaches the retina during these activities. Over time, this prompts the eye to elongate, worsening distance vision.
• Practical Takeaway: Time outdoors, pupil-dilating drops, and multifocal lenses might help counteract this effect—a reminder to mix up visual activities and reading conditions for healthier eyes.

“It's kind of like doing only bicep curls and neglecting the rest of your body. Our retinas need varied visual input to stay healthy.”
— Dr. Samantha Yammine (25:39)

Memorable Moments

• Discussion of Horse Whinnies (04:30): Dr. Sam tries (and fails) to whistle and hum at the same time, leading to laughter and playful attempts at imitating horse sounds by both host and guest (26:28–26:31).
• Personal Analog Swaps (20:04–21:00): Both guest and host reveal their love of physical note-taking and the conscious boundary-setting benefits of older tech like flip phones.

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:18] – Why horse whinnies are so strange and scientifically fascinating
• [07:12] – Intro to the analog movement & guest interview
• [09:12] – Shocking stats on our digital device usage
• [10:42] – Analog vs. digital for attention and cognitive retention
• [13:20] – Societal drivers & downsides of digital reliance
• [16:42] – Clinical observations and context matters for media use
• [19:16] – Will the analog movement last? Long-term perspectives
• [20:18] – Analog swaps: journaling and flip phones
• [22:49] – New research on myopia (nearsightedness) and indoor visual habits
• [26:28] – Playful attempts at horse whinny impressions

Closing Thoughts

The "Analog Movement" episode deftly blends scientific rigor and relatable stories to unpack why so many are yearning to unplug—and what the latest research reveals about the brain, attention, and health in a screen-saturated world. Whether you’re looking for motivation to start an analog habit or want to understand the science behind digital fatigue, this episode delivers a thoughtful, evidence-based perspective with warmth and humor.