Saturday, March 26, 2011

Obsolete.

A few months ago, I read this article on Yahoo. It's a list of things that children born in 2011 supposedly won't remember or know about. This article, though in some instances is trying to be funny, is really just ridiculous. Actually, when I first read it, it got me so worked up that I wanted to blog about it but decided I had better wait a while. :) I already got a little fired up in this post.

Here are just a few things that the list pretty much says will be obsolete for kids born this year: books, magazines, newspapers, travel agents, CDs, picture frames (non-digital ones), letters and mail.

The article fails to recognize one major fact, though: some of us refuse to let this happen.

Sure, I like my laptop and my iPod. I've bought songs and several CDs on iTunes, but only because I couldn't find the CD locally.

But I'm the girl who not only still watches VHS tapes (though, after having our VCR spit out and unwind three tapes this week, I will admit DVDs are an improvement there) but *gasp* listens to records. Which were considered "obsolete" years before I was born.

I'm the girl who gets so excited about checking the mail, whether I find a note, a package, a magazine, or even just junk mail in the box.

I'm the girl who will never, ever buy an e-reader of any kind because of the way they seem to be hurting the book printing industry. Real books that you can hold and smell and pass on are special. That's one of the reasons why I love bookbinding.

I'm the girl who reluctantly owns an old cell phone- solely for the purpose of calling and letting my mom know when I've reached my destination. I'm the girl who has never sent a text message in her life and doesn't plan to.

So call me stubborn, but I'm determined that the things in that article will not apply to me, or to the children I hope to have someday. Sooner or later, people will have to realize that technological advancements are not always advancements or improvements, and that one of the best things we can do is look back and learn from the way things used to be.

That's just my opinion. As for me, I'll hold on tightly to my real books, black and white photographs, and dusty albums.

Until next time,


{P.S. This post is not meant to offend anyone, especially those who have an e-reader. It's just how I feel about things. Photo was found on Google.}

5 comments:

  1. I agree; just because something is not "in" doesn't mean it's going to be extinct. I love getting things in the mail; I even save the envelopes. ;)

    I'm thinking of getting an e-reader so that I can read obscure literature for less $. But I'd be an eccentric who totes an e-reader along with real paperback books...

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  2. Kristin, I found your blog through a comment you left, and this post really resonates with me! I also am following the difficulties of the book publishing industry with concern, and I also refuse to even think about getting an e-reader. I don't text and * shock * don't have a Facebook! While I don't wish to be judgmental, I think sometimes people don't think twice about how all the devices affect quality of life. My life is much more peaceful when I keep the electronics to a minimum. So thank you for this post; it's nice to know others think as I do. : )

    ~Edith @ Observatory of the Quotidian

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  3. I agree! I love real books! I love being able to share them with others. I also listen to my parents records and think that they add a certain charm to the music. I am never going to get and e-reader. It would drive me crazy after awhile and I am scared for the book industry. I am happy to be an eccentric! (I never doubted that I would become one. :) )

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  4. Good for you and your cell phone!!!! :)

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