30 'Outdated' Things People Refuse To Stop Using

‘Outdated’ and ‘obsolete’ tech is harder to root out than you might think. Case in point, Japan is notorious for relying on practically ancient technology, from fax machines to floppy discs. Recently, the nation declared ‘war’ on floppy discs, on which 1,900 law, government, and ministerial procedures still rely.

Meanwhile, fax machines are still used very widely in Japanese workplaces, instead of using email. One of the most technologically advanced and innovative countries on our planet still very much depends on ‘outdated’ tech structures. 

It’s our personal experience that so long as a piece of technology is reliable and does its job well, there’s no need to replace it with the newest model—or a fancy digital alternative. That’s why some of us (hi!) still listen to music on our iPods from two decades ago instead of using wireless headphones linked to our smartphones.

You’d also be surprised by how useful a simple notebook and a simple pen are even when you’ve got computers and fancy programs for work. Of course, we’re not discounting the power of tech or innovation: these are hallmarks of human advancement and development. But simpler is—at times—better. And something freshly developed by tech engineers doesn’t instantly invalidate what came before (though some companies would love for that to happen).

There’s nothing wrong with wanting the latest and coolest gadgets. However, it does help if you actually understand why you want them. For many people, buying new tech and programs is a (not-so-subtle) way to show off their wealth, status, and power. Whether they realize this or not, they’re signaling to those around them that they have access to the best of the best.

Because human beings are social animals, many of us highly value our reputations. What our family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers think of us can impact us in a big way. Whether or not you’re a trusted (and trustworthy) member of society plays a huge role in the quality of your life. 

However, it’s not through fancy gadgets that you’ll get other people’s respect. It’s our decisions, actions, values, and character that truly matter. How you connect to people—and doing so in a non-superficial way—is what you should focus on. Cool tech, fancy clothes, and overwhelming wealth can create a powerful first impression. But what matters is what lies beneath all of that. 

If your reputation hinges on whether or not you’ve got the best car, the newest phone, and access to whatever new and exclusive AI app is trending, then you’re on shaky ground. On the flip side, the things you own and wear can filter out superficial people, too.

Someone who treats you poorly because you drive an old but reliable jeep, have an older-gen smartphone, and a durable but tired wristwatch probably isn’t worth getting to know beyond some polite small talk. 

What 'outdated' technology and software do you personally still use and plan to continue using in the future, Pandas? What advantages do you think older tech has over newer inventions? Feel free to share your thoughts with all the other readers in the comment section at the bottom of this article.