_entertainment   popular-culture

Quickly Becoming Obsolete - Part 1

by Libby Pelham | More from this Blogger

29 Jul 2008 08:32 AM

Not too long ago, I blogged about companies that are no longer in business. But, what about things that are still currently around, but are slowly becoming obsolete in today's society? I found a list of things on AOL that may be going away sooner than you think!

Movie Rental Stores

I remember when video rental first came out. It seemed like everyone opened his or her own movie rental store. Then, Blockbuster and Hollywood came along and put most of the mom and pop places out of business. Now it seems like mail order places such as Netflix will kill the corner movie rental stores. There are approximately 6,000 Blockbusters left around the world right now, but that number is constantly dwindling. Movie Gallery is currently in bankruptcy (and closing many stores). I guess it is just too easy to walk to the mailbox rather than drive down the street to rent a movie.

Dial-up Internet Access

Oh, this is one such thing that deserves to die. The number of dial-up connections has fallen from 40% in 2001 to 10% in 2008. Thank God for high speed Internet!

Landline Phones

I remember back in 2000 when I was living in San Diego and several co-workers were talking about getting rid of their home phones and just using their cell phones. It seemed like a crazy idea then, but eight years later, the National Center for Health Statistics is estimating that one in six homes only phone is a cell phone.

VCRs

Yes, for almost 30 years, VCRs dominated the market, but like all good things, they are disappearing due to the invention of DVDs. You will be hard pressed to find pre-recorded VHS tapes anywhere but your local Goodwill or a garage sale. Ash Trees

Blame the end of the ash trees on the green beetles known as the emerald ash borer. That is what attacked the ash trees in the late 1990s. The beetles came in from eastern Asia and wreaked havoc on the tress, killing millions and threatening to kill even more. More things heading for extinction tomorrow!

 
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Learn more about Libby Pelham
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Libby Pelham is a work-at-home mom located in Jacksonville, NC. She has a beautiful little boy, Will, born in July of 2004.

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User Comments

deedee1231 (4030) 29 Jul 2008 09:20 AM

Landline phones--Really?? I must be behind the times because I can't imagine not having a home phone.

Libby Pelham Online! (12965) 29 Jul 2008 09:21 AM

I know Deedee1231 - I would feel strange if we didn't have a landline, but ours is digital now, so if the cable goes out, we lose our phone service, so I am glad I have a cell too!

Valorie Delp (49340) 29 Jul 2008 09:48 AM

We don't have a home phone and haven't for years. My husband's job provides his cell phone as part of their business expense and I got mine that way as well--although now it is originally mine. To us, it was just like throwing money away--no need for a land line at all. We are moving to a less metropolitan area so maybe it won't be like that when we move. . .but all the same, we're probably going to skip the phone thing again. ;-)

deedee1231 (4030) 29 Jul 2008 10:10 AM

I need both so my kids can call me when I am out and so I can call and check on them, too. My phone is part of my cable and Internet service so it is practically free.

Libby Pelham Online! (12965) 29 Jul 2008 10:23 AM

Yeah, I guess that is one thing I missed on my obsolete list - long distance phone charges in the U.S. Our landline is free as is our cell phone (well, included in the monthly charges of course).

Valorie Delp (49340) 29 Jul 2008 02:13 PM

Ahhh Deedee I would beg to disagree. . .

Cable and intenet can be substantially cheaper without phone service. Of course I guess that dependson where you are. . .but my SIL pays $200 per mo for all three but we'll pay $75 for just cable and internet when we move. Same cable. . .same internet service. . .

deedee1231 (4030) 29 Jul 2008 02:32 PM

$200 a month is too high, I was paying about $100/month for all three in Kansas City and I thought it was way too much.

Here, ours is $69.95 plus tax for all three services, but if you only order Internet and cable they are $29.95 each which is about $60 plus tax. So I guess we are paying about $10 a month for the phone and we get free unlimited long distance, caller ID and call waiting and everything else you can think of. I could add another line to my mobile for $9.95 a month but I would have to share minutes.

ruthann8 (6378) 31 Jul 2008 10:13 AM

I must be a little old fashioned, I don't own a cell phone and never have! I don't have a MP3 player or any other gadgets expect my desktop computer and TV. We get our cable, phone (unlimited long distance), and internet for less than 100$ a month. I guess my phone is digital so that probably isn't considered a landline.

ruthann8 (6378) 31 Jul 2008 10:23 AM

I was just thinking, here in Iowa it will be a VERY long time before landlines and dial-up become obsolete. There are too many rural areas and small towns that don't have any other options. There are some areas where a cell phone won't work. I know of a few people who do have cell phones but have to keep there landline because of dial-up or DSL internet.

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