So we all know that technology is advancing rapidly. In the last 10 years, we have made absurd leaps in technology that we thought impossible in 2003.

But, what about those things that make you go "Really? We're still doing that?"

MIne? Batteries. I just..lol. Batteries.

Why in the world are we still using these gigantic huge things we must buy monthly/weekly to charge our devices? And they are the SAME batteries we have been using for decades. AA, AAA, etc. Those things have been around since what, the 60's? With virtually no improvement whatsoever, with the exception of slightly longer life.

So what technology are you amazed we still use, and haven't improved much on over the years?

I still use cassette tapes in the car.

Landlines. I see no point in having them. Maybe a business could justify them, but certainly not households.

Cars. We have legs to transport ourselves with, which is a much cheaper alternative and it doesn't pollute the enviroment.

Batteries have changed somewhat, but the main problem is there's no Moore's Law for batteries, so their growth is linear and slow, whereas gadgets constantly want more power. Really, there's no real good alternative besides the extremely wasteful wireless energy (we're a wasteful culture enough as it is without literally wasting energy by the tonne) and what besides longer-lasting could you possibly want from a battery?

One technology that just needs to die is faxing. Email protocol also needs to be revamped. I can't believe Microsoft still includes telnet but no SSH, and FTP? Comeon, that protocol was literally not designed for the Internet (as demonstrated by how broken it becomes when NATs and firewalls are introduced).


A corded landline (as opposed to cordless) draws power directly from the phone system and will remain powered-on throughout a blackout. Even a landline not hooked up to a phone service can still make emergency 911 calls. Police stations and local communities greatly encourage you have a corded landline just so you can make emergency calls in a prolonged blackout.

It's also walking. It takes longer, and it requires effort. I know this is going to make me sound incredibly lazy, but most people simply do not have the time to walk everywhere, and I think that we are better for it as it affords for "bigger" society.

spinning discs.

Yes. A million times, yes. At my place of employment, I set up a lot of printers for people who call in, and we only set up the AIO software and don't set up their fax. Nevertheless, I always get, "Can you set up my fax, too?"

Also, toilet paper.

Uhg, printers in general are horrible devices. I just print everything to PDF these days except the few things teachers make me turn in on paper still.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBI8uCKi2lI