VHS or BETA? 10 Things That Have Become Extinct

Do you remember when you bought your first VCR? The first question that people were faced with was which format to buy. There was debate among the electronics professionals as to whether the public would embrace the technologically superior Betamax format, or the VHS format. When you purchased one of these suitcase sized machines for $800 or more, you were faced with another decision: which video rental store would I purchase a membership to? (yes, you had to buy a membership to rent videos in the 1980′s.) I realize that I just lost 100% of the people who are under the age of 30 with that title, but it got me to thinking about the evolution of change.

Here are a few things that have become extinct just in my lifetime:
1. Buying a video membership
2. Going to a record store to purchase music
3. Video tapes
4. AAA Trip Tik maps (offering members turn by turn directions from point A to point B)
5. Dial up modems
6. Book stores
7. Most video rental stores
8. Absolute values and discipline in the classroom
9. Standing in line and/or camping out to purchase concert tickets
10. Land line telephones (almost)

I realize that there are many more things that may come to your mind, but when I think of the ease and comfort afforded by innovation; the golden memories of yesterday are replaced by the anticipation of what may come next. There are always people who will fight change (Think SOPA and PIPA), people who long for things to stop evolving (manufacturing everything in the United States vs. overseas), and those who are fascinated and who decide to jump on and surf the wave of change instead of fighting it.

Whether you embrace change or fight it, change really doesn’t care. It will always continue to be a constant. You may as well get used to it!
For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-800-863-2591

Yes I Am Crazy...Thank You for Asking!

Has anyone ever told you that your idea was crazy? I’m sure that you have endured the criticism of naysayers when sharing your hopes, dreams, and ideas. Some people may scoff, others may verbally tell you that you are nuts, yet others will simply walk away. Enjoy the following examples of “crazy” ideas listed below and realize that your dreams and “crazy ideas” may be normal.

If the year was 1402 and you had the idea that the Earth was round, not flat, you would have been labeled “Crazy.” In 1492, Christopher Columbus proved that the Earth was indeed round; which caused a huge decline in the Flat Earth Society’s membership.

If the year was 1750 and you tried to convince people that sound waves could be transmitted from point to point via radio signals, you would have been labeled as “Crazy.” Today everyone owns several radios.

If the year was 1890 and you and your brother had this crazy idea that man could create a machine that would fly, you would be “Crazy.” The Wright brothers toiled and persevered on that project, flying the first airplane on December 17, 1903.

People thought that space travel was impossible…Until the Soviets launched Yuri Gagarin into space on April 12, 1961.

When Bill Gates announced that he would have a computer in every home and in every office, people laughed. Right now you are reading this blog on some type of computer.

When I was growing up, we only dreamed of a telephone that could find us wherever we happened to be, today it is difficult to find someone who only has a land line telephone.

People used to visit record stores to buy their favorite music. When was the last time you even saw one of those?

People used to visit greeting card stores to purchase a card. Now there are services like Send Out Cards which allow you to create and send a real card…right from your computer.

When was the last time that you actually hand wrote a letter?

The great prophet Paul Stanley from KISS says, “The reason why most people will make fun of your goals and dreams is because they have given up on theirs. Don’t ever let them take your dream from you.” The next time someone doubts your abilities to accomplish your goals and dreams, realize that no one has ever erected a statue dedicated to a critic. Use their criticism to fuel your fire of desire for greatness!

For more information about booking The Shef for your next event, visit http://www.theshef.com or call our offices at 1-800-863-2591