Which of the Most Classic Pastimes Have Gone Digital?

Entertainment is harder to avoid than it is to find in these days of digital pre-eminence.

01:43 10 December 2024

Entertainment is harder to avoid than it is to find in these days of digital pre-eminence, but you might still be surprised to learn that many classic pastimes have quietly gone digital recently. The following are just a few of the options that have found their way onto our universal multiplex of screens.

New Ways of Fishing 

The world of fishing has already undergone a revolution in the 21st century. Many of the biggest changes have been in the commercial fishing industry, where virtual reality, augmented reality and artificial intelligence are among the tools being used to boost the production levels of fish farms and the catch rates of fishing vessels. However, that's not to suggest that people who fish purely for leisure are excluded from these digital innovations.

Digital scales and sonar systems for ice fishing are among the tools that can increase your rate of bites, while smart fishing rods detect underwater activity and send you alerts so you're kept in the loop despite the physical barrier of the water. Online fishing courses and videos can help you make the most of your time by boosting your skills conveniently, while the introduction of fishing-themed online games like Big Bass Splash has further reinforced the sport's mark on the digital landscape. This slot is based on the traditional slot machine layout but with features derived from angling. The variety of other titles such as Fishin’ Frenzy and Frontier Fishing demonstrate the enduring popularity of this theme.

Digital Poetry Apps and Exhibitions 

The history of poetry goes back to long before written records, as poems were supposedly used as a means of passing on wisdom and stories across generations. In A Little History of Poetry, John Carey points out that poems offer a way of organising language in a memorable way that helps us to remember and greater value it. Poems have gone digital in various ways, from mobile apps such as Poetry Magazine to podcasts including Poem Talk and Poetry Off the Shelf.

Digital art exhibitions offer new and immersive ways to enjoy poems. A recently opened show at the World Art Museum of China uses cutting-edge digital projections to entertain visitors with the works of Su Shi. The Digital Art Exhibition Hall at the same venue was the scene of the Li Bai: Chinese Ancient Poetry New Media Art Series Exhibition earlier this year.

Digital Art and the Value of NFTs

Art has always been a vital part of virtually every culture across the planet. From prehistoric cave paintings of animals to the richly decorated Egyptian tombs and the celebrated Renaissance artists, every period in human history has produced a substantial legacy of art for us to enjoy. But how might digital art be changing the way we view it?

The introduction of assets such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) has created a thriving online economy whereby virtual works of art can sell for huge sums of money. The most expensive NFT sold to date, known as The Merge, was created by artist Pak and sold for a total of $91.8m, having been divided into thousands of individual assets.

And no doubt, the digital revolution will continue to provide us with new ways of making and consuming media, even if many of them are based on classic approaches.