50 things being killed by the Internet

The Web is changing the way we work, play and think (Reuters).

The Internet has wrought huge changes on our lives – both positive and negative – in the fifteen years since its use became widespread.

(Telegraph.co.uk) - Tasks that once took days can be completed in seconds, while traditions and skills that emerged over centuries have been made all but redundant. The internet is no respecter of reputations: Innocent people have seen their lives ruined by viral clips distributed on the same World Wide Web used by activists to highlight injustices and bring down oppressive regimes

Below is compiled -- in no particular order -- 50 things that are in the process of being killed off by the Web, from products and business models to life experiences and habits. Also thrown in are a few things that have suffered at the hands of other modern networking gadgets, specifically mobile phones and GPS systems.

Do you agree with our selections? What other examples can you think of? Please post your comments on the bottom of the story – we hope include the best suggestions in a fuller list.

1. The art of polite disagreement
   While the inane spats of YouTube commencers may not be representative, the internet has certainly sharpened the tone of debate. The most raucous sections of the blogworld seem incapable of accepting sincerely held differences of opinion; all opponents must have "agendas."
2. Fear that you are the only person unmoved by a celebrity's death
   Twitter has become a clearing-house for jokes about dead famous people. Tasteless, but an antidote to the "fans in mourning" mawkishness that otherwise predominates.
3. Listening to an album all the way through
   The single is one of the unlikely beneficiaries of the internet – a development which can be looked at in two ways. There's no longer any need to endure eight tracks of filler for a couple of decent tunes, but will "album-albums" like Radiohead's "Amnesiac" get the widespread hearing they deserve?
4. Sarah Palin
   Her train wreck interviews with NBC's Katie Couric were watched and re-watched millions of times on the internet, cementing the Republican vice-presidential candidate's reputation as a politician out of her depth. Palin's uncomfortable relationship with the web continues; she has threatened to sue bloggers who republish rumours about the state of her marriage.
5. Punctuality
   Before mobile phones, people actually had to keep their appointments and turn up to the pub on time. Texting friends to warn them of your tardiness five minutes before you are due to meet has become one of throwaway rudenesses of the connected age. More>>