The US Postal Service

I'm not totally sure about libraries. Some libraries seem to be thriving. I live just down the street from the Nelson Co. PL and the parking lot there is jammed all the time' date=' even on Sundays. Even after hours you can typically find as many as a half-dozen vehicles there watching movies using the wi-fi. Other branches in the county stay pretty busy as well. My hometown library is always packed with people whenever I'm there. Not the most scientific of surveys, but it's what I've seen at places I'm familiar with.[/quote']

 

 

I agree about public libraries. As a rule, I do not buy books. I use the public library.

 

Maybe it is generational. Interesting to watch.

This morning I was thinking about the fortunate fact that the internet has not replaced physical books. I like that. I'm glad there is a phenomenal amount of literature and information not on the internet' date=' materials we still have to physically pick up and read. The internet has rendered the evening news obsolete for me.[/quote']

 

Agree on TV news.

Not obsolete but a lot of simple fix it type house calls are now handled by people getting on youtube and learning how to do it. I'm totally unskilled labor but have managed to fix a dryer, clothes washer, dish washer and disposal in the past couple years. In the past they were all no brainer service calls.

Civility in discourse.

Civility.

 

I should have read the whole thread before responding.

Having to mail in payments on debt.

Few people have the time available that it takes and even fewer understand what they're reading. That's a path to disaster for most people.

Disagree. Power through knowledge. Talking about long-term investment strategies, not about day-trading. Talking about asset allocation in 401(k) plans, actively managed vs. index mutual funds, ETFs vs. mutual funds, retirement strategies, etc.

 

Easiest way to lose money is to trust someone else to make wise financial decisions for you.

This morning I was thinking about the fortunate fact that the internet has not replaced physical books. I like that. I'm glad there is a phenomenal amount of literature and information not on the internet, materials we still have to physically pick up and read.

 

The internet has rendered the evening news obsolete for me.

 

While I see your point, there are more than an insignificant number of people who view reading a physical book a real pleasure. Swiping a screen does not have the same experiential satisfaction as turning a page, or that glorious unique smell a book has.

X-mas/Birthday cards

Having to mail in payments on debt.

 

I write one check a month, and that's for rent. Occasionally one more, but not for paying bills. Do all that online/app.

Disagree. Power through knowledge. Talking about long-term investment strategies, not about day-trading. Talking about asset allocation in 401(k) plans, actively managed vs. index mutual funds, ETFs vs. mutual funds, retirement strategies, etc.

 

Easiest way to lose money is to trust someone else to make wise financial decisions for you.

 

That would be true if people truly put in the time and effort and really understood what they're doing. They don't. Like everything else many read something about a company, usually online, and then jump in without truly understanding what they're investing in. They don't want to take the time and put in the work required. Then they don't understand why they're not even meeting the market gains or even losing money. For the vast majority of investors, handling their own investments is like a person representing himself in court or trying to do his own plumbing or electrical work. It's a losing proposition.

 

The people using those big investment firms are not going to take the time to do it themselves which means they are not going anywhere.

While I see your point, there are more than an insignificant number of people who view reading a physical book a real pleasure. Swiping a screen does not have the same experiential satisfaction as turning a page, or that glorious unique smell a book has.

 

agree 100%

Knowing where people are.

Religion. Unfortunately, to an increasing degree younger people are relying on social media as their means to belonging. The decrease of physical socialization stems into the religious as well. (i.e. - not going to church)

 

To say, has rendered obsolete, is obviously not true, but an alarming concern.