MiniDisc: The Comeback of a Forgotten Format
In 1992, Sony unveiled what it hoped would be the future of personal audio: the MiniDisc. Encased in a protective plastic shell, this tiny 2.5-inch magneto-optical disc combined the convenience of cassettes with the digital clarity of CDs. Sony envisioned a format that would replace tape, rival the CD, and capture a new generation of listeners.
It didn’t quite work out that way. While MiniDisc became popular in Japan and found a niche in broadcasting and among music enthusiasts, it never managed to conquer the global market. By the early 2000s, recordable CDs, MP3 players, and eventually the iPod left MD in the dust. Sony stopped making players in 2011, and by 2013, the format was effectively dead. Or so it seemed.
In 2025, MiniDisc is enjoying an unlikely revival—a second life as a retro collectible and a statement about ownership in a streaming-dominated world.
Farewell to the Prince of Darkness: Ozzy Osbourne’s Life in Glorious Chaos
At 76, heavy metal’s wildest icon takes his final bow, leaving behind a trailblazing musical legacy, decades of infamy and survival, and an unexpected turn as a beloved reality TV dad. We reflect on the extraordinary life of John “Ozzy” Osbourne – Black Sabbath frontman, solo superstar, and eternal Prince of Darkness.
Photo by Ted Van Pelt
Pokémon Card Frenzy: Nostalgia, Hype and Skyrocketing Prices
When YouTuber-turned-boxer Logan Paul strode into a 2021 prizefight with a shiny Charizard Pokémon card dangling from a gold chain around his neck, it was a flashy sign of an unlikely boom. Paul claimed the rare card – one of only a few graded “gem mint” – was worth up to $1 million. In reality, that estimate wasn’t far-fetched. In the past few years, Pokémon trading cards have exploded in value and popularity, with some coveted cards fetching six and even seven figures at auction. It’s a frenzy fueled by pandemic-era nostalgia, social media influencers, speculative investors, and even supply shortages – a perfect storm that has turned a 1990s kids’ hobby into big business.
Photo by Giorgio Trovato