Ten Artifacts That Will Disappear When Boomers Do.

By Erica and Karen

Our friend Susan noted the other day that snail mail will cease to exist once we Boomers cease to exist. That led us to think: What else will go the way of all good things when we do the same?

Here’s a list.

1. Mailboxes and stamps. If snail mail goes, can stamps and mailboxes be far behind?

2. Writing. Cursive writing will go too. Maybe that means our brains will change. Not for the better. And what happens to checks? And balancing checkbooks???

3. Landline phones. Rotary phones seem already lost in the sands of time. Landline phones are likely going the same way. (Do you even remember pay phones operated with quarters? Or those red London call boxes?) Of course, if we are to be left reliant upon cell phones and other online devices, we will have to figure out a way to avoid mass technical failures caused by either accidents or bad actors.

4. Gas-powered vehicles. We suspect the time will come when EVs rule the world. Of course, first we will have to figure out how to power all those EVs. And to avoid having them all subject at the same time to malign or accidental forces . The recent pager attack was instructive. Anyone think Elon has a plan?

5. Cash. Maybe. Coins, for sure. (And with coins, piggy banks.) But paper currency may still have a role. At the Green Market.

6. Paper reading materials. We’re not sure about this either. Newspapers, magazines, books, maps—hard copy of each of these offers visual and other perspectives that the internet does not. And bookstores are booming. But the switch to intangibles will continue. It’s so much easier to carry your books and newspapers and maps on a device.

7. Local Pharmacists. When was the last time you were able to talk to a pharmacist you knew? Or buy sundries in your local drug store without asking someone to unlock something? Local pharmacists and drug stores are failing. This is happening, apparently, because suppliers believe the only thing we want is cheaper stuff. Actually, we think all costs should be taken into account when pricing a product, and losing a care provider who knows you and is in your community is extremely costly.

8. Black Tie Events. White tie and tails events disappeared for most people a long time ago (except for those on the dais at the Al Smith dinner, which tells you something). Black tie events still happen, but the inexorable drift toward casual comfort seems to spell their eventual doom.

9. Irons. Do you know anyone who knows how to iron anything any more? Do you still own anything that can even be ironed? We iron our silk scarves but we suspect silk scarves are on the doomed list too.

10. Pensions. We love ours, but they are relics of a past era.

What would you put on the list?