Interesting that you state that Northern Soul "can't be googled or downloaded" on an internet forum. Almost every tune is on the net somewhere in one form or another (look at refosoul), if it comes out your PC speakers you can record it and bung it on your ipod. There are so many blogs on the net with podcasts of rare sounds that you can hear pretty much anything you want to on the net.
I can tell you for a fact, most of my collection CAN'T be googled or downloaded, if you want I can give you a few test tunes for you theory?! Maybe your judging it on your own experience of collecting and listening.?
Also, i think comparing the rave scene to the Northern scene is a little wide of the mark. Most ravers cant even remember the tunes they danced to in the first place and nearly ALL of them have moved on in terms of what they listen to. Graeme Park is a friend of over 30 years and he isnt still playing the same stuff that he did at the GARAGE in Notts or the Hacienda all those years ago (unless its a tribute anniversary).
Also, the younger Europeans and Japanese seem to pay tribute to the original soul scene in terms of the way they dress (mod styles etc). So . why should the playing format be the exception to this rule. By your theory, of leaving the 'roots' behind, they should just turn up, bung a cd or ipod on and have a good time. It seems to me, when talking to these people, that THEY want to embrace the scene in an historical context, including the LOVE of vinyl. In fact, I just sold some tunes to a young Japanese collector. So the very people you are saying wont embrace the vinyl format are contadicting you? The same applies with the young American collectors, France, Sweden, Norway, Belgium...shall I go on?
You talk about formats....We also had tapes back in those days, so why didnt people just put a compilation tape together and stick it on at nights, it would have been a lot easier!?
Maybe there is something visceral and 'soulful' about the vinyl format itself? if you look at indie music now, a lot of releases (young bands) are going back to it because of that fact. It has personality and as you keep it over the years it takes on some of yours. It is NOT disposable and there lies its attraction. Its personal and unique, visceral and visible......tangible and sometimes even olfactory.