Things Are Becoming Obsolete This Decade

I read this about a year ago on www.huffingtonpost.com and found it so interesting. I saved it to my computer and want to print it out and put it in my kids's scrapbooks. It's funny to me that I know about all these things and my kids will have no real clue about them!


VCR and VHS tapes-We all know what these are! Unless you were born in a cave of course or were born in the 2000's.
Can't say I will miss rewinding, fast forwarding...ugh! This is one advancement in technology I am happy about!
Travel Agents-Now with sites like Kayak,  Orbitz, Travelocity, etc, people book their own travel.
I have to admit: I am one to book my own travel! I would do it no matter what. I like to know exactly what's going on and being in charge. No one to blame but myself if something goes wrong.
The separation between work life and personal life-These days we no longer have to be in the office or even near a computer to be at work or in touch. With smartphone, ultra-light laptops and WiFi, we can reply to our colleagues on the go.
I must say, as a photographer this one is hard! I take my camera everywhere I go. Sometimes I realize I have had my camera to my eye the whole time instead of enjoying the zoo with my kids, etc. I know that is a tad off this particular subject, but honestly...the convenience of having digital, portable camera's with so many settings that make it so you aren't hauling lighting equipment around has it's downfalls!
Forgetting-The internet records everything and forgets nothing. There is pretty much a digital copy of everything we do: the emails we send, the phone calls we make, the places we go, the pictures we take, the opinions we write. We can collect data on everything which makes it harder than ever for us to forget what we have said or done.
I definitely do my share of forgetting! I write lists and lists to try and remember everything. I have no smartphone to remind me of things. Call me old school!
Bookstores-With the increased popularity of ebooks, it has put pressure on bookstores and put many out of business. 
I think this is so terribly sad. I LOVE Barnes and Noble and Powell's Books in Portland, OR. I take my kids to B&N almost weekly and we sit and read and play trains. I do not have a Nook or Kindle and never will. I have 3 book cases full of books, with one dedicated to only children's books. I can't stress enough the importance of reading...and reading an actual book. Not to mention how bad it is for eyes to read computer screens, etc, hence part of my dislike for the ever popular iPad. 
Watches-Still a style statement, but when is the last time you saw someone look at their wrist watch to tell you the time?? Replaced by cell phones, laptops, etc. 
When the end of the world comes, some people will be happy they have their watches! I think....Maybe they won't matter, come to think of it..... ?
Phone Sex via 1-900 Numbers-Replaced by the internet. "Cybersex"
Not a fan of internet OR phone porn, so no real comments on this besides it's WAY more accessible to kids and teens via the internet. 
Maps-GPS has replaced paper maps. They keep getting smaller, cheaper and more portable. They re in our cars and on our phones, Asking for directions, carrying paper maps, and even getting lost are all increasingnly obsolete.
I don't have a GPS and PROUDLY have a PAPER ATLAS in my cars. I ask directions. On a rare occasion, I have used Google Maps.
Classified Newspapers
Dial-Up Internet- Wow! I sure do remember this! Waiting for the dial tone and hearing the static and beeping. Ha! Makes me feel pretty old!
Encyclopedias- Still the same view on this as paper books. I have an encyclopedia and a kids encyclopedia...in paper. Not on the computer!
CDs-Replaced by digital music that can be downloaded online...one track at a time.
Another thing I don't own is an iPod. I have CDs coming out my ears and still buy them! In fact I just bought on the other day. Bob Marley. :)
Landline Phones-No need to state the obvious with this one (uh-hum...Cell phones). I don't have a landline but I have thought of getting one for emergencies.
Film and Film Cameras-Replaced with digital. 
Again, as a photographer I think this is sad! I have a film camera. Do I use it? No. Do I plan to? Yes. Film is one of those things that will make a comeback like the neon hot pink of the 80's is coming back. Film is a different look and is gorgeous. I plan to work with it more in the future. I find the mystery of shooting and not knowing the outcome until it's processed very alluring. :)
Yellow Pages and Address Books-Replaced with smartphones and the web.
Catalogs
Fax Machines
Hand-Written Letters-This breaks my heart! I remember writing notes to my friends in school and to my mom. I still make it a top priority to write in my kids's journals all the time. I write long paragraphs in birthday cards, etc. I hand-write thank you cards. Replaced with text messages...what a sad, sad thing.


I just figured I would share this interesting piece of information. Not that they are all that important (besides the books of course), but it's fun to know. I also read that in some time not far away, that schools will all be going digital as well. Like text books on iPads and stuff. Wow...sounds like something you would see on The Jetson's. The world is changing and hopefully for the better.  I have never been about keeping up with the Joneses but I will add that I am up to date on my computers (for editing) and also somewhat on my cameras (again for work). Sometimes you just can't help it!