Can you believe it’s 2023 already? Time flies, man! But you know what’s even crazier? There are things out there that we thought would’ve gone extinct by now, but nope, they’re still hanging around, but only some of those are for the good. We are talking about stuff that makes us go, “Wait, that’s still a thing?”
One Redditor asked, “What are you amazed still exists in 2023?” Many users commented on this thread, and we have selected the top 20 things for you!
1. E-Bill Fee
E-bills were supposed to be the future. A revolution in how we handle our bills, making life easier and saving trees in the process. But here we are, still stuck with these convenience fees, and honestly, we can’t even figure out what’s so convenient about them.
A discerning Reddit user commented, “Convenience fees when paying bills online.”
Another replied, “I was ordering a pizza online yesterday, and they wanted to charge a $4 online order fee. Instead, I called the restaurant and placed my order over the phone, taking actual time away from a real employee, and paid no fee. Makes so much sense!!”
2. Fax
One said, “You would be surprised by how many businesses are completely crippled if their fax machine stops working. Not sure why, but doing tech support for a large ISP, we hear it all the time.”
Someone else added, “Medical and legal offices are the primary users of Fax. Faxes are a more secure way of sending such documents than sending them online and quicker than messengering them over.”
Who’s still faxing in this digital age? But believe it or not, there are places where fax machines are still alive and kicking. Maybe it’s the nostalgia or just plain stubbornness!
3. MRI Cds
We live in a world where everything is digital, right? And yet, here we are, in 2023, with MRI CDs still in hospitals like it’s the early 2000s.
A Reddit user wrote, “My doctor asking me to bring MRI scan results over on a CD when I go for my consult.”
Another added, “I got an MRI a few months ago, and I had asked if I could see it. They said no. Then I asked someone else, and they said okay. I tried to take a picture of it. They said no, I couldn’t do that because of HIPPA. But it’s my head. Then I asked for a copy. They said no.
Then I asked someone else for a copy, and they sent someone else from a different floor to deliver me a form I had to fill out that was three pages long, which I had to deliver on a different day because that office was closed. After I did that, they would mail me a CD that I would receive in 10-12 business days.”
4. Windows 98
So, picture this – you’re in a high-tech world where everything’s supposed to be sleek and advanced. But then, you walk into some super important facility, and bam! There it is – a relic from the past, a Windows 98 system. One Redditor stated, “Windows 98 systems for mission-critical serial devices.”
Someone else replied, “I’m aware of one as well. I think I may be the only person that actually knows what it does and how it works, but they laid me off last week. Be a shame if that old Packard Bell 486 finally burns out. Not that I could save it, but I wish I’d be around to see all of the insanity that goes down when it does.”
Another responded, “Windows 98 is the last OS to allow direct access to the hardware. Lots of older software require direct access because they were made in the DOS age, where they had such access.”
5. Iron Lungs
An iron lung is this ancient medical device that looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. It’s this big metal contraption that people with paralyzed diaphragms or polio used back in the day to help them breathe.
Someone shared, “Iron Lungs. I think there’s a couple of people still alive who need an Iron Lung to live, and that completely blows my mind.”
A user responded, “My understanding is that there are more modern solutions, but the patients have been in the Iron Lung so long that they just feel more comfortable in there. You have to remember that most of them have been in there since they were children, makes sense that they don’t want to change 70 years later.”
6. Flat-earthers
One user shared, “Flat-earthers, like, come on, even in ancient Greece, they knew it wasn’t flat.”
Another added, “From what I’ve seen is that most flat-earthers want to be contrarian to popular belief and feel like they’ve discovered some sort of hidden knowledge that the rest of the world is blind to notice because we’re “sheep” or some stuff along those lines.
Now I’m all for thinking for yourself, but when the evidence is right there, and it’s even something that you can go and prove/disprove yourself, then you’re just looking like a dumb*ss who really doesn’t want to think for themselves and you’re just following what others blindly perceive because you want to be known as “different” and feel above science… It’s really all just working backward with that type of “thinking”.”
But you know what’s even more mind-boggling? The internet has given these Flat-Earthers a platform to spread their ideas like wildfire.
7. Child Marriage
One Reddit user wrote, “Apparently legal child marriage…”
Someone said, “Between 2000 and 2018, nearly 232,474 minors were legally married in the United States.[13] The vast majority of child marriages (reliable sources vary between 78% and 95%) were between a minor girl and an adult man.[13][14][15]
In many cases, minors in the U.S. may be married when they are under the age of consent, which varies from 16 to 18, depending on the state.[16] In some states, minors cannot legally divorce or leave their spouse, and domestic violence shelters typically do not accept minors.[17][18]”
People talk about “tradition” and “cultural norms” as if that somehow makes it okay. But come on; we’re living in the 21st century! We’ve outgrown a lot of old traditions that were harmful, and child marriage should be no exception.
8. Smoking
We’re living in the age of health consciousness and information overload. We know smoking is a one-way ticket to a whole bunch of health problems, from lung cancer to heart disease. But somehow, there are still people out there puffing away like it’s the cool thing to do.
Someone said, “I’m amazed people still take up smoking.”
Another user commented, “I feel attacked, but you’re right; I personally smoke to suppress my depression and loneliness, but I still do my everyday tasks, so that counts, imo.”
9. Hobby Rules
Come on, who made up these so-called “rules”? Last time we checked, hobbies were supposed to be about having fun and doing what makes us happy. But nope, society just had to go and slap labels on everything, like “kid stuff” and “adult stuff.”
One wrote, “Arbitrary rules about which hobbies both children and adults can enjoy and which only children are allowed.”
Someone else said, “Yup.. Sitting all day in front of a tv watching a sitcom or sports game is fine, but sitting all day in front of a tv/PC playing a game all day is somehow childish/being lazy?”
10. Expensive Weddings
A Redditor wrote, “Expensive weddings that bankrupt people.”
Another replied, “I swear I came here to say it. Absolutely. Makes no sense, and people still do it. I watched a lady I used to work with plan a wedding that had to be flirting with 6 figures. The marriage didn’t last 2 years. Why start your life together in a financial hole? Relationships are hard enough as it is.”
But you know what’s even more mind-boggling? Some couples are taking out loans to pay for their dream wedding. It’s like they’re starting their marriage with a mountain of debt. Is that really the best way to kick off a life together? We certainly don’t think so!
11. Slavery
One user shared, “Human trafficking has been around since the biblical days. I’m not surprised slavery still exists.”
Someone else agreed and said, “The fact there’s more slaves in the world on any given day today than in the entire history of the transatlantic slave trade is terrifying. Some nations where my family insist on going on holiday, despite my objections, have like 20% of customer service workers who are literally enslaved.”
In 2023, we still have to fight this battle for freedom and human rights. We’re living in the 21st century with all our advanced technology, yet we can’t seem to shake off this monstrous injustice.
12. Pill Ads
Someone commented, “Pill commercials. Saw one yesterday that had a dance and jingle to it. “small pill with a big punch” or some kind of stuff. so sick”
Another responded, “If you have moderate-to-severe plaque diabeetus, you’re no stranger to pain. Pleasant guitar music. Luckily, there’s Kantfix! Kantfix is a once-daily oral injection patch insert that works by destroying your immune cells, so you don’t have to. Side effects may include nausea, heartburn, night sweats, weight loss, anxiety, symptoms of cyanide poisoning, and death, which can be severe.
If it’s severe, stop taking Kantfix right away and go to the hospital. Kantfix is not for everyone. It should not be given to children under 6 or to children from 6 to less than 18. It should not be taken if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing, as it could harm your baby. Do not take it if you are allergic to Kantfix or any of its ingredients. Ask your doctor if Kantfix is right for you.”
And let’s not even get started on the side effects they list in those commercials. It’s like they’re trying to scare us into not taking their magical pills. They’ll say, “This pill can cure your headache, but you might end up with three eyes and a sudden urge to dance.” Um, no thanks!
13. Child Beauty Pageants
We’ve come so far in terms of understanding child development and promoting healthy self-esteem. But somehow, there are still people out there who think it’s okay to judge little kids based on their looks.
A Redditor wrote, “There’s so many child pageant comments; lately, it’s beginning to drive me insane.”
Another replied, “Do not diddle kids. It’s no good diddling kids.”
14. Psychics
We’re living in the age of science and technology, with all these advancements, and yet, there are still people claiming to have psychic powers.
One user shared, “I’ve been wanting a psychic reading for years. But I figure a genuine psychic will know that I want a reading and the number to call. I still haven’t heard from anyone.”
Someone else agreed and said, “This one is a matter of supply and demand, never underestimate the amount of stupid or gullible people in the world, and neither time nor technology will change that. They still sell those fake tabloids at grocery stores; they wouldn’t print them if people weren’t buying them.”
15. Handwritten Checks
Okay, picture this – you’re standing in line at the store, and the person in front of you pulls out their checkbook. Now, that’s a scene from a retro movie or something. You can’t believe your eyes – they’re going to write a check like it’s 1980!
Someone commented, “Handwritten checks. They’re taking way too long to die off, especially in the business world.”
A Redditor shared, “I made the mistake of going grocery shopping the other day around 1pm. It must have been the local senior housing facilities trip to the grocery store because I was in line behind two older people (70+) that asked to pay in check.
The younger teenage-looking cashier looked lost and had to call his manager over, who then had to call an older staff member over to get the check machine working…debit cards are there for this exact reason!”
16. Keith Richards
A Redditor wrote, “My teenage son and I were listening to the Lithium channel in the car. We hit a streak where for many songs in a row, the lead singers were dead. My son said after a while: “How did Kieth Richards outlive all those guys?” I had no explanation.”
Someone else agreed and said, “I have a 30-year-old Q magazine with an interview of Shane McGowan, and even back then, the article was making jokes about him somehow not being dead.”
Despite all the rumors and stories, Keith Richards is a musical genius. He’s been a driving force behind some of the greatest rock songs in history.
17. Plastic
Someone commented, “All the plastic that we use.”
Another replied, “It’s not that hard to get rid of excess plastic waste. Small steps actually matter. Just no one wants to do it since it’s cheaper.”
We’ve got biodegradable materials, reusable bags, and many eco-friendly options. But somehow, some people are still clinging to single-use plastics like their lives depend on them.
18. Tanning Salons
We’ve got all this information about the harmful effects of UV rays and how tanning beds are basically little cancer machines. And yet, there are still people out there flocking to tanning salons like it’s the coolest place to be.
One said, “Banning salons should be tanned; I bet they are causing more harm than good.”
Another person added, “Or tanning at all! Getting a bit darker naturally from being outside (while hopefully still taking precautions), yes. But actively trying to bake yourself is just bonkers to me. Do these people want to look like leather?”
19. Tipping
A Reddit user wrote, “Especially the new increased tipping recommendations. I think they’re a great way to hide U.S. inflation.”
Another person agreed to it and said, “I was at a trampoline park today where I was asked to tip the girl working the front counter. All she did was throw a tablet in my face and tell me to “fill this out” and immediately turned her back to me to talk to the other employees lol why tf would I tip for that.”
Someone else added, “And underpaying employees while guilt-tripping the customer to pay more.”
Instead of asking customers to tip more, shouldn’t employers pay employees well in the first place?
20. Astrology
Someone on Reddit said, “I considered it harmless nonsense until I realized some people literally won’t date other people based on essentially what month they were born.”
Someone else commented, “Astrology can be a fun activity when ppl know it’s fake, but there are some ppl who actually take it as seriously as science lol.”
It’s fun to read about our zodiac traits and see if they match up, but let’s not let astrology rule our lives. We have our own free will and common sense, and that’s way more reliable than any star chart!
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This article was produced and syndicated by A Dime Saved.
