With technology moving at lightning speed and the way we live constantly changing, some things we used to count on are slowly fading away. Here’s a look at what might be on its way out this year—along with some ways our own habits and human nature could be changing too.
The sound of dial tones and the frustration of paper jams. Fax machines were once staples of offices, but now they feel like ancient relics. With email and digital signatures becoming the standard for document sharing, faxes are no longer needed. If you’re still hanging onto yours, don’t be surprised if it gets replaced by a sleek new scanner or email app soon.
Drones are now quickly becoming the delivery heroes of the future. Canada Post, along with private companies, are testing autonomous delivery systems that promise speed and precision without needing breaks. While this might save time, it also raises questions about job loss and human connection in our communities.
Moving on, have you peeked behind your TV or desk recently? The mess of tangled cords might soon be a thing of the past. With wireless charging pads and Bluetooth-enabled everything, the future is looking cordless. Canadian tech adoption trends show that wireless solutions are skyrocketing, making our homes cleaner and more streamlined.
Then there's the wallet full of cards which could soon be in the past. Payment apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay are becoming the norm, letting us tap our phones for purchases in most stores. This shift not only makes transactions quicker but also reduces the risk of losing or damaging your card.
I imagine the last time you wrote a cheque, you probably had to dig it out from a dusty drawer. With e-transfers and direct deposits dominating personal and business transactions, cheques are well on their way to becoming obsolete. The convenience of transferring money in seconds is just too good to pass up.
In Canada, only about 25% of homes still have landlines, and most people keep them around for nostalgia or just in case of an emergency. With smartphones being so reliable, packed with features, and easy to carry everywhere, landlines are quickly disappearing.
Also, with streaming platforms like Crave, Netflix, and Disney+, DVDs are pretty much history too. Why bother with bulky collections and players when you can just hit play on whatever you want, anytime you want?
Do you have a coffee table cluttered with remotes for every gadget in your living room? That’s about to change. Voice-controlled tech like Alexa and Google Home are integrating seamlessly with TVs, speakers, and even thermostats. One device—or even just your voice—can now manage your entire home setup.
Movie theaters aren’t gone yet, but they’re definitely not as popular as they used to be. With fancy home setups like 4K projectors, surround sound, and endless streaming options, staying in is way more tempting. Sure, there’s still something special about going out to see a movie—but is it enough to keep cinemas around for good?
Just a few more - unless you’re a professional photographer, your smartphone likely does everything you need. High-resolution cameras, editing apps, and instant sharing options make standalone digital cameras seem unnecessary for most.
Self-checkout kiosks are popping up everywhere in grocery stores, and it looks like they’re here to stay. Sure, they’re great for saving time, but they’re also part of a bigger move toward automation. While it’s nice to speed things up, we might be losing those little friendly chats that used to make shopping feel a bit more personal.
Also, the days of grabbing a fresh newspaper off the doorstep are pretty much over. More than 75% of people now get their news online, thanks to digital platforms taking over. Print editions are still around for now, but it feels like their time is running out.
Remember flipping through the Yellow Pages to find a plumber? Now, a quick Google search does the trick. The iconic book is practically extinct, with only a handful of Canadians still opting for physical directories.
Human Behaviours
Here are a few ways human nature might be shifting in this fast-paced, tech-driven world:
Patience: We’ve gotten used to everything being instant—whether it’s streaming a movie, getting next-day delivery, or paying with a tap. Waiting even a few extra seconds feels like forever, doesn’t it?
Face-to-Face Connection: With so many things going digital, from banking to ordering food, we’re spending less time interacting in person. That quick chat with the cashier or catching up with a friend face-to-face is happening less, and it could mean our social skills take a hit over time.
Attention Spans: Ever feel like you’re jumping from one thing to the next without really focusing on any of them? You’re not alone. Multitasking is the norm now, but it’s making it harder to concentrate deeply on just one thing, whether it’s a book, a conversation, or even a task at work.
Writing Skills: Texting has changed how we write, and not always for the better. Kids today are using shortcuts like “u” for “you” and relying on autocorrect to fix mistakes. A recent study showed that only 10% of schools still teach cursive writing. This means kids might not just lose the ability to write in cursive—they could struggle to read it, too, which is a big deal when you think about historical documents or even older handwritten letters. Writing by hand also helps with memory and creativity, but we’re seeing less of it as typing and texting take over.
Empathy: The more time we spend behind screens, the harder it can be to truly connect with others’ emotions. Social media makes it easy to scroll past someone’s bad day or to comment without thinking about how words might land. This shift could make us less empathetic over time.
Physical Activity: As more of our lives go online—shopping, socializing, and even working—our day-to-day movement is shrinking. Sure, we might hit the gym, but walking to the store or playing outside is happening less, especially for kids.
Creativity: With so much content available at the click of a button, we don’t have to get as creative to entertain ourselves. Kids today might spend more time consuming than creating, which could have long-term effects on imagination and problem-solving skills.
Memory: Why remember something when Google or your phone can do it for you? The convenience is great, but studies show that relying on tech to store information means our memory muscles aren’t getting the workout they used to.
Sleep Patterns: The blue light from our devices is messing with our sleep, and the constant ping of notifications makes it harder to wind down. A good night’s sleep used to be more straightforward—now it’s something we have to work at.
The world’s changing so fast it’s hard to keep up! Technology is amazing, but these shifts remind us that it’s worth paying attention to how it’s changing us.
Here’s hoping that in our race toward the future, we don’t forget the little things from the past that brought us joy.
Maybe it’s time to pick up a pen, call a friend, or go for a walk—just to balance things out.