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What mundane things of our era could be seen as beautiful or admirable in the future? (mander.xyz)

submitted 5 months ago by Mothra@mander.xyz to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

39 comments fedilink hide all child comments

For example, buildings and houses more than a hundred years old keep getting more and more rare, and often have an aesthetic that stands out, more ornate or with a particular style that most people can't afford today or that is not financially convenient etc. But back in the day, that's how things were built and most people didn't put much thought into it.

Another example, illustrations for advertisements ( either billboards or magazines). Up until the 60s (declining from the 70s onwards) a lot of ads had hand drawn illustrations, which required a lot of skill and talent to make. Yet people took them for granted, it was the standard quality of illustration for ads.

So the question is, are we currently mass producing something that will be seen in a similar light in a couple of generations? Thoughts?

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[–] bstix@feddit.dk 12 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Contemporary cars are mass-produced and have impractically many special and unrepairable parts. They're a real patchwork of different technologies that will become obsolete when switching to other fuel sources.

Also stamps and cash. Intricate prints meant to dissuade counterfeiting, which will be replaced by digital technology.

[–] spittingimage@lemmy.world 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)

My wife is a facilitator at a stamp collector club for kids. According to her, we're already at the stage where stamps are a historical artefact and some people get surprised when they're reminded that they have a purpose.

[–] bstix@feddit.dk 3 points 5 months ago

Besides proving that postage was paid, stamps also used to function as legal tender, at least where I live. I remember posting stamps as payments of small amounts instead of writing a tiny cheque or requesting bank details.That's not the case any more. Even the post office can reject to buy back of stamps now, so they don't function that way anymore.

[–] Mothra@mander.xyz 4 points 5 months ago

I like this answer. Currency in particular is a really good candidate.