Friday 19 September 2014

50 things killed by technology

Ringing the cinema to check film times, owning an encyclopaedia and dialling 1471 are among 50 things killed off by modern technology, according to a new poll.

50 things killed by technology: A woman uses a public phone box
Photo: ALAMY

Printing out photographs, using public telephones and recording television shows on VHS are other activities which are dying out because of digital advancements.

The detailed study, carried out among 3,000 adults, examined the impact technology has had on our lives or the last 30 years.

It found trips to the travel agents are becoming a thing of the past as more people opt to book online, while using public telephone boxes is also close to extinction for most of us.

But ringing the cinema to check the times of films emerged as the task we are least likely to carry out now, once again because of the convenience of booking online.

Printing photographs was the second least popular activity these days, with people choosing to store images on websites or laptops and share them online.

VHS recording came third in the list of things Brits no longer do due to a reliance on recordable DVDs and catch up television.

Dialling directory enquiries and ringing to book tickets for events also rarely occur now as people are more likely to turn to gadgets or the worldwide web for help.

It is also becoming less common for us to carry portable CD players or write letters by hand.

Paying bills at the post office and checking a map before or during a car journey are also no longer part of everyday life.

Claire Galbois-Alcaix of online back-up specialists, which commissioned the research, said it was important to store documents online in the face of changing technology.

He said: "These findings show that Brits are using technology to replace many of our traditional ways of life, as we move to a more digital world.

"Whilst this offers plenty of convenience, it can also leave us at risk, should our computers crash or iPhones go missing.

"This is why it's important to ensure our online possessions, like precious photos, favourite music, and important documents like CVs and wills are securely backed up online."

The study shows the popularity of smart phones has eliminated the need for telephone directories, address books, or reversing the charges in phone boxes.

Computers have led to a decline in the number of people with pen friends - while most folk rarely buy TV listings, have no need to try on hundreds of pairs of shoes on the high street, or go into banks to conduct their business.

Other long-forgotten acts - which have declined as technology has progressed - include recording on video, printing photos or placing ads in shop windows.

People have no need to warm milk or hot water on the stove anymore, nor do they walk into a florist to buy flowers and are unlikely to hang washing out in the winter.

The findings suggest one in five people reveal they are NEVER out of reach of an internet device.

The average Brit now has more than four computing devices in their home - more than double the number they reported to have owned ten years ago.

And it's rapidly impacting the way we live - as over three quarters of people say they rely heavily on technology every day.

It seems people are happy to pay the price for new technology though, with 75 per cent convinced their electric gizmos save them at least two hours per week in running errands.

Six in 10 people said their lives are enriched by new technology, because it allows them to manage the balance between their home and working lives.

Galbois-Alcaix continues: "With the growing number of computing devices in our homes, and a continued reliance on technology, many people just don't realise just how many irreplaceable personal memories and documents they have on their smartphones and laptops which could be at risk of loss.

Imagine losing all your honeymoon photos, emails from that special someone, or the diary you've been building up for months!

"In most cases modern gadgets and gizmos work brilliantly, but when they do go wrong it can have dire consequences, including the loss of valuable and sentimental material."

It's a good idea to ensure everything is securely backed up online, so it can be accessed anywhere, anytime from the cloud. This is something Mozy already helps millions of customers to do."


1. Ring the cinema to find out times

2. Going into the travel agents to research a holiday

3. Record things using VHS

4. Dial directory enquiries

5. Use public telephones

6. Book tickets for events over the phone

7. Print photos

8. Put a classified ad in the shop window

9. Ring the speaking clock

10. Carry portable CD players

11. Write handwritten letters

12. Buy disposable cameras

13. Take plenty of change for pay phones

14. Make mix tapes

15. Pay bills at the post office

16. Use an address book

17. Check a map before or during car journey

18. Reverse charges in payphones


20. Buy TV listings

21. Own an encyclopaedia

22. Queue to get car tax in Post Office

23. Develop and send off for photographs

24. Read a hard copy of the Yellow Pages

25. Look up something in dictionary

26. Remember phone numbers/ Have a phone book

27. Watch videos

28. Have pen friends

29. Use a telephone directory

30. Use pagers

31. Fax things

32. Buy CD's/ Have a CD collection

33. Pay by cheque

34. Make photo albums

35. Watch programmes at the time they are shown

36. Dial 1471 when you get home

37. Warm milk or other hot drinks on stove

38. Try on lots of pairs of shoes on high street

39. Hand wash clothes

40. Advertise in trading papers

41. Send love letters

42. Hand-write essays / school work

43. Buy flowers from a florist

44. Work out how to spell something yourself

45. Keep a personal diary

46. Send post cards

47. Buy newspapers

48. Hang washing out in winter

49. Keep printed bills or bank statements

50. Visit car boot sales

Read more from Telegraph Technology

How we moderate
blog comments powered by Disqus

More from the web


Back to top

© Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited 2014

Terms and Conditions

Today's News


Style Book

Weather Forecast