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Things that have disappeared since people got phones

112 replies

BePearlKoala · 20/04/2025 12:34

I'll go first

  1. The Bermuda triangle
  2. UFO sightings
  3. Paranormal activity
OP posts:
the80sweregreat · 20/04/2025 12:42

Sorry to sound thick here or even goady , but why have these things disappeared ? Is it because we have phones with cameras that people don’t tend to believe any photos they see of UFO’s ( for one example)
There have been a few programmes on UK tv lately about the paranormal / ghosts etc and you can still access information around the Bermuda Triangle online if you so wish. Why has having phones made these things disappear ? ( I assume you must mean mobile / cell phones ?)

ClassicStripe · 20/04/2025 12:43

CD sections in supermarkets?

Fragmentedbrain · 20/04/2025 12:44

Did you miss all the UFO stuff in the US over the last few months?

Marchsunshine · 20/04/2025 12:44

Yellow pages

Middleagedstriker · 20/04/2025 12:45

The art of conversation.

the80sweregreat · 20/04/2025 12:45

Agree that buying a CD is only online now. Even then there isn’t as much choice. Unless I go into a charity shop, you can’t buy them in supermarkets.

Middleagedstriker · 20/04/2025 12:47

Our species ability to concentration.
Paper petitions.

MouldyCandy · 20/04/2025 12:48
  • Mental recall of your best mate's phone number
  • Personal address books
  • AA printed roadmaps
the80sweregreat · 20/04/2025 12:48

I used to like the local ‘ Thomson directory ‘ and the phone books which came out annually and delivered to every home every year.
The library had racks of them covering the entire UK
They were neatly kept next to the phone table in our house and probably used occasionally too!

Seeline · 20/04/2025 12:49

Public phone boxes
Well behaved children

SparklyGlitterballs · 20/04/2025 12:50

They haven't completely disappeared, but in huge decline...

Cameras
Personal music players
Paper tickets
Paper maps
Photo albums
Cheque books
Pay-by-cash parking machines
Written letters
Landlines

Edited to add:
Imagination play for kids
Privacy

rainbowunicorn · 20/04/2025 12:50

Critical thinking.
Conversation.
For the younger generation, the ability to actually hold a phone conversation.

LindorDoubleChoc · 20/04/2025 12:51

Young children colouring in restaurants.
People reading books on the bus or tube.
The A-Z of London.
Parking meters increasingly!!! grrrrrr.
Loads of charity shops don't even bother to sell books any more.

Einszwei · 20/04/2025 12:51

Travel guides and hidden gems.

When I travelled years ago, everyone in the hostels would have a travel guide. Now everyone is able to connect to the internet pretty much anywhere in the world.

Devilsmommy · 20/04/2025 12:53

Definitely manners and the skill of actually talking to someone

GeorgianaM · 20/04/2025 12:54

The excitement and laughing until you cried when you and your friends piled into a Photo Booth, mucking around with the curtain and raising the stool up and down ---- all lost to the instant click of the camera on a mobile phone.

ClassicStripe · 20/04/2025 12:54

118 118. I was so shocked when I googled how long ago those ads were on.

TheHerboriste · 20/04/2025 12:54

Chitchatting with strangers at airport bars, cafes, etc.

canthavethatonethen · 20/04/2025 12:54

Nessie.

the80sweregreat · 20/04/2025 12:55

Phoning up to find out the time.
Directory equiries : where did all those staff end up working ?

Readingwithoutphonics · 20/04/2025 12:57

I have a suspicion that the Bermuda Triangle was active for a period of time when the US military were up to a lot.

Readingwithoutphonics · 20/04/2025 12:59

canthavethatonethen · 20/04/2025 12:54

Nessie.

I see a poster on here every so often warning us of the dangers of sea serpent like creatures wanting world domination so I’m just taking a wait and see approach about Nessie 😂

SparklyGlitterballs · 20/04/2025 13:00

Agree with others - being able to have a proper conversation. Add to that being able to speak/write properly. It's all acronyms and 'text talk' now.

Manners in shops, restaurants and public transport. You often see people sitting together at a table but they're all engrossed in their phones. Or having a loud conversation in a quiet carriage or when someone is trying to serve you.

Peoples ability to go a short while without yakking to another person. I often see people with a phone wedged between shoulder and ear while doing something else eg pushing a pram, carrying bags etc. Gone are the days when it would have to wait a bit until more convenient to have a conversation.

Common sense is another thing disappearing. The amount of people who just have to text or call while driving or some other risky activity.

People enjoying the moment. I like seeing old photos of people watching an activity but now it's a sea of arms and mobile phones being held aloft to record every moment.

the80sweregreat · 20/04/2025 13:06

Can you imagine the original ‘live aid’ concerts in 85 at the old Wembley stadium and in the US if there had been mobile phones with cameras on them?

Wintershealing · 20/04/2025 13:07

Boredom, especially in children. It's good to have a bit of boredom from time to time, our brains don't have to be entertained constantly!

I do wonder what the effects will be in children who grow up and given their parents phone/an iPad right from being in a pushchair?