Do you think kids born in 2011 will recognize any of the following?
Video tape: Starting this year, the news stories we
produce here at Money Talks have all been shot, edited, and distributed
to TV stations without ever being on any kind of tape. Not only that,
the tape-less broadcast camera we use today offers much higher quality
than anything that could have been imagined 10 years ago — and cost
less than the lens on the camera we were using previously.
Travel agents:
While not dead today, this profession is one of many that’s been
decimated by the Internet. When it’s time for their honeymoon, will
those born in 2011 be able to find one?
The separation of work and home: When
you’re carrying an email-equipped computer in your pocket, it’s not
just your friends who can find you — so can your boss. For kids born
this year, the wall between office and home will be blurry indeed.
Books, magazines, and newspapers:
Like video tape, words written on dead trees are on their way out.
Sure, there may be books — but for those born today, stores that exist
solely to sell them will be as numerous as record stores are now.
Movie rental stores: You actually got in your car and drove someplace just to rent a movie?
Paper maps: At one time these were available free at
every gas station. They’re practically obsolete today, and the next
generation will probably have to visit a museum to find one.
Wired phones: Why would you pay $35 every month to have a phone that plugs into a wall? For those born today, this will be a silly concept.
Long distance: Thanks to the Internet, the days of paying more to talk to somebody in the next city, state, or even country are limited.
Newspaper classifieds: The days are gone when you have to buy a bunch of newsprint just to see what’s for sale.
Dial-up Internet: While not everyone is on broadband, it won’t be long before dial-up Internet goes the way of the plug-in phone.
Encyclopedias:
Imagine a time when you had to buy expensive books that were outdated
before the ink was dry. This will be a nonsense term for babies born
today.
Forgotten friends: Remember when an old
friend would bring up someone you went to high school with, and you’d
say, “Oh yeah, I forgot about them!” The next generation will
automatically be in touch with everyone they’ve ever known even slightly
via Facebook.
Forgotten anything else: Kids
born this year will never know what it was like to stand in a bar and
incessantly argue the unknowable. Today the world’s collective knowledge
is on the computer in your pocket or purse. And since you have it with
you at all times, why bother remembering anything?
