Technology is developing at an increasingly rapid rate. It means devices that were popular a few decades ago are now on the verge of being obsolete. We’ve replaced them with fast, digital items, making our lives much easier. Here are 18 things from the boomer generation that won’t survive.
Landline Phones
According to This is Money, office landline phones will likely be extinct by 2028. Landline phones have rapidly declined thanks to the popularity of mobile phones. They’re already dwindling in households and now it won’t be long until they’re completely gone from business environments.
Paper Maps
It’s not very often that you see a paper map anymore. GPS systems and smartphones have made it simpler for people to find their way because they also give out directions. Boomers may argue that paper maps are still important in case GPS loses signal, but it’s still likely they’ll be gone in the next decade.
Printed Encyclopedias
Britannica has already stopped production of its printed encyclopedias, and it won’t be long until other companies do the same. Soon, encyclopedias will be books that stay hoarded in an attic or garage until the time comes to throw them out. Nowadays, if people need to research something, they’ll do it online.
Film Cameras
Film cameras have turned digital. Digital cameras allow a person to view what they’ve filmed in the moment, which makes editing much easier. Film cameras are mainly used for recreational reasons nowadays, while digital cameras are used professionally. Some people have even started creating high-quality videos on their smartphones.
VHS Tapes
VHS tapes are well and truly a thing of the past. They were popular in the 1990s, but since then, we’ve seen the rise of DVDs and now streaming sites. Boomers used to love collecting them and probably still have them hidden away at home, but it’s unlikely there’ll be any around in the next 10 years.
Dial-Up Internet
USwitch writes, “Dial-up internet took off in the 1990s, and the first commercial internet service providers (ISPs) started offering internet connections to regular households.” But as we stepped into the 21st century, we saw the rise of WiFi, which has made dial-up internet unnecessary. Now we can access information in seconds.
Typewriters
Typewriters have been replaced by personal computers, and now we no longer have to type mechanically. Many boomers still love using a typewriter, as it brings a sense of nostalgia, but it’s likely they’ll be gone in the next 10 years, or they’ll just become a decorative item in a home.
Fax Machines
It’s very rare that you’ll find a fax machine in any type of office these days. However, they were an easy way to send over contracts and other financial information during the boomer years. They’re now considered inefficient, as people can use email to send important information.
Cable TV Packages
Cable used to be the peak of entertainment for boomers. They had access to hundreds of channels and could change them whenever they wanted to watch something new. In modern times, people are more likely to subscribe to a streaming service. They can access this on their TVs, laptops, and other devices.
Voicemails
Most younger generations don’t enjoy making phone calls, which means voicemail is used considerably less than in the boomer generation. Most people opt for instant messaging now if they need to ask a person to contact them. Because of this, it’s unlikely voicemail will make it through the next decade.
Physical Travel Agencies
The rise of the internet has meant people don’t need to head to a travel agent to book their vacation. They can do it themselves with just the click of a button. Most travel agents now operate online and give people the option to choose flights and hotels that best suit them.
Checkbooks
Walden University says that it’s likely that checkbooks will be extinct by 2026, as using debit cards and electronic payments has become far more popular in the 21st century. Checkbooks are declining with all ages, not just the younger generations, as some stores physically won’t accept them anymore.
Rotary Phones
Rotary phones may bring a sense of nostalgia to boomers, but they have little use in modern times. Most people use mobile phones to make calls, which is much easier than moving a rotary phone to the correct number. They’re usually considered collectible items, and it won’t be long until they’re completely removed from society.
Physical Bank Branches
Physical bank branches used to be important for depositing checks, cash, or taking out money. However, as electronic money becomes more popular, there’s less of a need for physical bank branches. We’ve already seen many new banks open as digital only, and soon the more traditional ones will be following.
Phone Booths
Once again, the development of mobile phones has meant there’s no need for phone booths. If someone wants to make a call while they’re away from home, they can simply find the person in their contacts list and dial from wherever they are. While we still see phone booths on the streets, many are out of service.
Cursive Writing
Boomers were taught cursive writing from a young age, as this was considered a formal way of writing. Most people nowadays don’t even pick up a pen, as the majority of communications are done digitally. If a person needs to write, it’s often a messy scrawl for a shopping list.
Soap Operas
Entertainment Weekly writes that we’ve already said goodbye to many much-loved soap operas, such as All My Children, As the World Turns, and One Life to Live. The chances are that many will follow suit in the next decade. Nowadays, people prefer watching TV on streaming sites, as they can watch it any time they want.
China Tea Sets
Younger people don’t want china tea sets. They see them as clutter, especially as eating is often a much more casual experience in modern times. Many boomers still have their china tea sets and are hoping to pass them down to the next generation. But the chances of these sets being kept are slim.
Up Next: 17 Behaviors That Make People Think Less of You
If you want to be accepted by those around you, you have to behave in certain ways. Obviously, you should still be yourself, but there are certain social ‘rules’ people should abide by, like avoiding these 17 behaviors that make people think less of you.
17 BEHAVIORS THAT MAKE PEOPLE THINK LESS OF YOU
20 Signs Someone Is Only Pretending to Care
Whether it’s to avoid hurting your feelings or if it’s part of a more elaborate plan to deceive you for benefits, people pretend for many reasons. The main theme with them, though, is that their actions never match the sugar-coated words that come out of their mouths. So that you don’t fall for someone like this, we’ve compiled 20 signs for you to look out for.
20 SIGNS SOMEONE IS ONLY PRETENDING TO CARE
18 Items at Walmart that Aren’t Worth Your Hard-Earned Money
For many of us, Walmart is the go-to superstore. Whether we need groceries, clothing, or technology, Walmart is a one-stop shop for everything you would need. However, there are some Walmart products you should avoid at all costs, such as the following 18 examples.
18 ITEMS AT WALMART THAT AREN’T WORTH YOUR HARD-EARNED MONEY