List of things going away is trip down memory lane

If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development. -- Aristotle

During my college days, the early '70s, I had an eight-track tape player in my car, a 1964 Corvair. A few of those big, bulky tapes are in storage somewhere. Later, I used a cassette tape player to record music from my album collection. When CDs were first talked about, I couldn't believe albums (vinyl) would disappear. Now, I download music files and transfer them to my iPod library.

Maybe that's why I identified with a number of items on the list of "24 things about to become extinct in America." I scrolled through the e-mail and, like the sender, found it to be interesting. The e-mail didn't contain a source for the list, but it makes sense to me.

My wife and I bought a VCR years ago -- long after they became popular. We used it primarily to tape our favorite TV shows and occasionally rented a video to watch over a weekend. Now, I use a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), no tapes necessary. I just push a button, record and playback later. We do have a small TV with a built-in VCR. The VCR was No. 18 on the list of things to disappear.

Not surprisingly, movie-rental stores were not far behind VCRs, No. 22 on the list. I understand why. I subscribe to an online movie service that is easy to use and inexpensive. My plan allows me to watch some movies instantly, on my computer, and I receive two DVDs each month. I don't have to worry about late fees any longer and the DVDs are delivered to my mailbox. When I'm finished, I drop them back in the mail. A few days later, another movie arrives.

Ah, the power and convenience of the Internet. I am a junkie. I use it to download audio books and music, and I distribute a weekly motivational e-zine. I remember the moment I changed to high-speed Internet service. My dial-up service was working great, that is, until I started downloading music files. I was up late one night and made a purchase on iTunes. I went to bed before the download was complete. I switched to high-speed and, presto, it was done, just like that. At No. 21, dial-up Internet.

Other things on the list include land-line phones, at No. 20. They are losing ground to cell phones which has a direct impact on No. 14, answering machines. Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs is No. 19 -- because of overfishing, pollution and global warming. And for you bowling fans, stand-alone bowling alleys are being replaced by facilities that include bowling and a variety of other types of recreation.

Approaching the top 10, at No. 13 are cameras that use film. Not a surprise, right? It seems like light-years ago that I opened the back of a camera, inserted the film, and manually advanced the film to take the first picture. Now, I take pictures with a digital camera and use the memory card to upload them to a computer, post them to a Web page or have them printed. So long, film.

And now, the drum roll please: the top 10.

Let's start with the milkman. If you are old enough, you remember the milkman delivering quart bottles of milk to your front door. Now we purchase gallon jugs in the supermarket. No. 9 shouldn't surprise you either -- handwritten letters. When is the last time you took the time to write a letter? Who has time when you can use your cell phone, or send a text message or e-mail.

Next on the list are wild horses, personal checks, drive-in theaters, mumps and measles and honeybees. Instead of pulling out your checkbook and holding up the line, you can slide your card through the machine (good swipe), sign the receipt and go.

At No. 3 are newsmagazines. And you've heard the news for months now about analog TVs. They come in at No. 2. Change is in the air for those who are using rabbit ears or outdoor antennas. If you don't have cable, you'll need to get a new TV or a converter box, soon.

And, at No. 1, regrettably -- the family farm.

My editor would want me to note that daily newspapers were not on the list. Thank you very much.

■ Nigel Alston is a Dale Carnegie trainer and motivational speaker who lives in Winston-Salem. He can be reached at nalston1@triad.rr.com.