# What currently necessary item will be the soonest to become obsolete? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 9, 2013, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817 "2013-08-09T17:08:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/61 "2013-08-11T12:02:53Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > Re: libraries. I think this is a good one. I used to frequent but haven’t stepped foot inside for 6-8 years. How do these circulation numbers compare to 10 and 20 years ago? The whole point is trends. As I said, circulation (and attendance) is way, way up. There’s no way you can bend the stats to say “libraries are on their way out.” ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/62 "2013-08-11T13:26:06Z")
> [@Doggo](#): > > Travellers cheques are still widely used in Thailand. > Perhaps the OP should have added “in the US” to the heading. > The vast majority of the world’s population don’t have access to the technology most on here take for granted. > Imagine that you are a goat herder in Ethiopia and then ask if keyless locks are relevant. Exactly. Tech trends mean little to a non tech society. So, another question might be, when will the world be similar to that of Heinlein’s Friday? ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/63 "2013-08-11T13:38:00Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > when will the world be similar to that of Heinlein’s Friday? [Not soon enough](http://files.sharenator.com/18432698_Women_In_Military-s400x600-49370-580.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/64 "2013-08-11T18:08:06Z")
> [@aNewLeaf](#): > > [Not soon enough](http://files.sharenator.com/18432698_Women_In_Military-s400x600-49370-580.jpg). Wow, that would make a great cosplay uniform part for lots of different book series. Anybody know a source for that particular uniform? What country etc? ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/65 "2013-08-11T21:39:02Z")
I thought about this thread this morning while I was in church, and wrote out a check for the collection plate. Yes, they do take cash, but I do like the tax deduction. 😃 We don’t have a Square, but I was surprised to see a PayPal link on the church’s website. IDK if anyone’s ever used it. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/66 "2013-08-12T01:12:20Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Every time I go to the library the place is full of people. I’m not sure what logical reason there is for libraries going out of style. That’s my experience, too. And the Web has made libraries much more convenient - reserve books online, get an email or text when they’re waiting for you, go in and pick them up. > [@](#): > > But cheaper cameras are dying out because now they’re on your phone. I can’t remember the last time I or anyone I know bought a cheap camera. You can get a cheap camera with 8x optical zoom. Does your phone’s camera have 8x optical zoom, or enough pixels to fake it digitally? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/67 "2013-08-12T01:20:38Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > There are some in the broadcast industry who not only believe AM radio is obsolete, but that within 3 years, it will no longer be included in car radios and the FCC will begin reclaiming the frequencies to use for other applications. While I don’t see this happening anytime soon, I’m amazed that over-the-airwaves broadcast television is still around, outside of rural areas. ~90% of TV watchers watch broadcast TV via their cable or satellite connection as it is. An FCC requirement that cable companies provide what are now broadcast channels to everyone, subscriber or no, would allow broadcast TV to cease in areas where cable coverage is complete (i.e. pretty much every metro area in the country, from center city to outer 'burbs), and free up an absolutely enormous pile of spectrum in those areas. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/68 "2013-08-12T04:07:54Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > You can get a cheap camera with 8x optical zoom. Does your phone’s camera have 8x optical zoom, or enough pixels to fake it digitally? The market for them (cheap P&S digitals) may be drying up, according to some websites. Photo Rumors and Nikon Rumors were talking about that just the other day, speculating that Nikon might even get into the cell phone business in some form or another to make up for the shrinking low level P&S market. [Some of this tongue in cheek, but some is serious](http://nikonrumors.com/2013/07/07/nikon-working-on-a-secret-product-smart-phone.aspx/comment-page-1/). The Rumors sites have a fairly decent track record, tho they do often exaggerate some things. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/69 "2013-08-12T06:48:10Z")
Rolodexes. (Aren’t they obsolete already?) Wrist watches. (I hope not; I love watches) ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/70 "2013-08-12T08:42:47Z")
> [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](#): > > Checks have been obsolete a long time in most of Europe already. I’ve never written one and I’m 35 years old. I last handled any in 1997 when I got a few as high school graduation gifts, that’s it. I do remember my mother writing them back in the 80’s and maybe early 90’s. How do friends pay each other in Europe, then? You know, if one friend buys two tickets to a soccer/football game, say, and the other pays him back. Or if one friend sells the other a piece of furniture he’s owned for a while. All this is done with cash? Or else arranging a wire transfer at a bank? ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/71 "2013-08-12T08:52:56Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I was surprised to see home printers mentioned. Then I realized I can’t recall the last I used one. Probably boarding passes, which I don’t print anymore. The kids would print their school papers, but I think they bring them to school on a thumb drive now. This surprised me, too, but unlike you, it still surprises me. My wife and I use ours a lot. Not counting work I do at home, I’d say we print something out about once a day – our weekly family schedule, a recipe (although I have cooked with the laptop next to the stove as well), someone’s long email you want to savor far from a gizmo… ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/72 "2013-08-12T09:02:28Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > Yeah the Government wants to shut down AM Radio because it is the most popular medium for right wingers expressing the truth. I am not surprised. Whenever I listen to AM (in the car, maybe for an hour, three or four times a year), it’s to catch a live sports event I don’t want to miss. As I search for the station, I’ll enjoy a few minutes of Spanish-language news, music, and banter. So, if the Gummint shuts down AM radio, it will be mainly because they hate sports and Spanish speakers. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/73 "2013-08-12T09:13:00Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > How do friends pay each other in Europe, then? You know, if one friend buys two tickets to a soccer/football game, say, and the other pays him back. Or if one friend sells the other a piece of furniture he’s owned for a while. All this is done with cash? Or else arranging a wire transfer at a bank? Cash or online banking. I’ve barely even seen a check in my life, and certainly never written one. I have some vague memories of them existing when I was a kid in the eighties. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/74 "2013-08-12T09:23:29Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Security badges. Companies will be able to program their doors to be operated solely by biometric signals. Grab the handle and turn, if your DNA doesn’t correspond to someone who gets to open the door, the handle won’t turn Two words: Fire Code. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/75 "2013-08-12T09:46:06Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > Cash or online banking. > > I’ve barely even seen a check in my life, and certainly never written one. I have some vague memories of them existing when I was a kid in the eighties. Interesting, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Doggo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/87869e/32.png) [@Doggo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doggo)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/76 "2013-08-12T11:12:11Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > Cash or online banking. > > I’ve barely even seen a check in my life, and certainly never written one. I have some vague memories of them existing when I was a kid in the eighties. Fine for you, but there are people in the world that don’t need or want to be “online” for everything. I for one will never use a “smartphone” till they stop using cash. Why would I pay extortionate rates to have a machine I rarely use? Unfortunately, it’s becoming almost impossible to obtain a mobile that doesn’t have all sorts of crap on it that I don’t want, but have to pay for anyway. My UK bank still issues me with personal cheques. ---
**Author:** ![Norse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a9adbd/32.png) [@Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norse)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/77 "2013-08-12T11:13:49Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Travellers cheques. Maybe _compasses_. Nuh-uh. Compasses won’t be obsolete for a long time. If you’re a serious hiker, boater or SCUBA diver, there’s no way you’ll ditch the mechanical/magnetic compass and rely solely on electronics. The batteries in a “hiking” type GPS will have run out on the second or third day away from a charger or a store that sells batteries, if not before during wintertime. And salt water has never been and will never be particularly healthy for electronics. Checks, however, are obsolete already on our side of the pond. For a few decades, at least. ---
**Author:** ![Doggo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/87869e/32.png) [@Doggo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doggo)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/78 "2013-08-12T11:14:22Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Two words: Fire Code. The sort of doors he was talking about can’t be opened without a key anyway. Fire doors would still exist, of course, but they can only be opened from the inside. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/79 "2013-08-12T11:20:34Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Two words: Fire Code. Three words: Paper, Cellophane, Banana. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2013, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817/80 "2013-08-12T11:56:46Z")
How about stand alone GPS units? Tom-Tom and Garmin used to be the hottest items at retailers. Now with the feature on everyone’s smart phone or built into new vehicles display screens they really seemed to disappear. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-currently-necessary-item-will-be-the-soonest-to-become-obsolete/665817.md?page=5)