The 90s were a defining decade for culture and music. It was the era of grunge, hip-hop, and electronic dance music. It was a time when fashion trends, music, and language evolved and shifted at a rapid pace. However, many cultural norms from that decade are now obsolete.
Here are ten cultural norms from the 90s that no longer exist:
1. Renting DVDs from Blockbuster: Blockbuster was the go-to destination for DVD rentals. It was a Friday-night ritual for most families. However, the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime have made physical DVDs obsolete.
2. Carrying cassettes and CDs: Cassettes and CDs were once the preferred media for music lovers. Many music enthusiasts had massive collections of tapes and CDs. However, digital music has taken over, and today, most people have all their music on their smartphones or laptops.
3. Landline phones: Remember the days when you had to sit by the phone and wait for someone to call? Landline phones were a fixture in every home in the 90s. However, today, most people use cellphones, making landline phones obsolete.
4. Polaroid cameras: The Polaroid camera was a staple in every 90s household. It was the go-to camera for parties and special occasions. However, today, smartphones have taken over, and most people capture their memories digitally.
5. Dial-up internet: Remember the sound of the dial-up internet connecting? Dial-up internet was slow and unreliable but was the only option available in the 90s. Today, high-speed internet is the norm, and dial-up internet is obsolete.
6. Payphones: Payphones were a common sight in every city and town in the 90s. They were the go-to option for people who did not have a cellphone. However, today, most people have a cellphone, making payphones obsolete.
7. Paper maps: Paper maps were once the only option for people who needed directions. However, today, digital maps and GPS navigation have taken over, making maps obsolete.
8. VHS tapes: VHS tapes were the preferred format for movies and TV shows in the 90s. However, with the rise of DVDs and digital streaming platforms, VHS tapes have become obsolete.
9. Portable CD players: The portable CD player was a must-have accessory for music lovers in the 90s. However, with the rise of digital music and smartphones that can store thousands of songs, portable CD players are now obsolete.
10. Fax machines: The fax machine was an essential tool for businesses in the 90s. However, with the rise of email and digital communication, fax machines have become obsolete.
In conclusion, the 90s was a defining decade for culture, music, and technology. However, many cultural norms from that era, including renting DVDs from Blockbuster, carrying cassettes and CDs, landline phones, Polaroid cameras, dial-up internet, payphones, paper maps, VHS tapes, portable CD players, and fax machines are now obsolete. Today, we live in a digital age, and technology continues to evolve and shape our culture and way of life.