In May 2015, more than half a million Brits tuned into BBC Four looking to escape their hectic everyday lives with an hour of birdsong or a canal journey. The BBC Four Goes Slow series showcased ‘slow TV’, featuring uninterrupted shows filmed in real-time. But why are people tuning in to slow down?

Internet dating is enjoying a Tinder-driven renaissance. But do random Facebook photos and awkward one-liners do singles justice? Berlin’s im gegenteil thinks not. With its new hyper-stylised ‘slow dating’, it hopes to add a little gloss to love online.

As people grow increasingly anxious about always being ‘on’, they’re seeking new ways to relax. Walkonomics is an app that encourages users to take longer, more beautiful paths. But if 70% of people feel short on time, will they really want to spend precious minutes on taking the scenic route?

Despite living in the digital era – with note-taking apps offering a high-tech alternative to regular notepads – manufacturers of writing tools and planners are experiencing a boom. So what’s behind the return of pen and paper? And is this revival anything more than a hipsterish fad?