30 Things That Unnoticeably Got Deleted From Our Reality, As Pointed Out By Folks In This Online Group
Interview With Author
Life is a very fast-paced thing.
One day you’re writing on stones and hunting mammoths, and the next, you’re decompressing from your 9 to 5 by lounging on the couch and watching viral cat videos. The point is – everything changes in a blink of an eye, and sometimes, keeping up with the world simply becomes an impossible task.
“What quietly went away without anyone noticing?” – this web user turned to one of Reddit’s most thought-provoking communities, encouraging its members to share examples of things that were once popular but have since disappeared. The thread garnered nearly 45K likes as well as 44K comments containing some pretty intriguing responses.
Before we continue with the article, let’s hear from the author himself! “I asked that question because I’m always fascinated by that moment when something pops into your head that you haven’t thought about in ages, and it sorta takes you back in time for a second and makes you wonder where it went,” u/lukiiiiii said when Bored Panda pondered about the inspiration behind the post. We then invited the netizen to answer his own question, and he responded with: “My answer would have been maybe something like Kanye West or other ‘controversial figures’ that make headlines for a while and then disappear from the news cycle.”
Now, without further ado, pull your chair closer, and let’s begin!
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Acid Rain.
It was a huge environmental issue in the late 70s thru the early 90s. Rain was acidic and damaged fertile areas among other things.
In the US there was much research done and eventually industrial regulations were put into place. Companies were allowed to decide what approach they chose to take as long as the results showed the appropriate amount of reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions.
Unfortunately, positive news doesn't sell, so news outlets did not do justice to reporting this success. As we went into the 2000s hardly anyone remembered what was done.
Well, I was recently wondering why we never hear about acid rain anymore. But it was a fleeting thought in a moment where I did not have time to search the internet. However, it is an interesting thought. I remember seeing forests destroyed by acid rain as a kid, it certainly made a lasting impression!
I have vivid memories of a car lot selling deeply discounted acid-rain damaged vehicles.
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It wasn't just in the USA that research was done into acid rain. It happened in many countries, and the results were the same - governments legislated to reduce emissions. This resulted in less acid rain, and the forests/farm land started recovering.
With this and the CFCs, science and governments worldwide worked together and did something about it. Why does that not still happen??
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In the 1990s there was a lot of attention on the hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica. When it was realised CFCs were causing the damage governments legislated, and the hole has gradually been repairing itself. However some of the chemicals can last for 50 to 100 years, and it is going to take quite a few decades before the damage has been reversed. But, it is happening.
Remember March 2020 when cities closed down? The environmental impact was enormous (for the better). Too bad we went right back to killing our planet. If only there were technologies that companies could employ to make themselves less harmful to the earth...
Our rainwater isn't potable anymore, though. I always wonder why no one's talking about that - it's a huge deal.
It IS a huge deal. My son just made a presentation on this very thing in science class.
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I know about this and have told my children about it as an example of awareness and activism actually working. Same with the ozone hole (which is slowly healing). You can’t just give up because it seems like a big problem… climate change can be addressed too but only if we act.
It's no longer the problem it once was thanks to the clean air act and the epa. However if repukes ever get their way, we'll see it again
When I was a kid I was so scared of acid rain. I thought it was corrosive chemicals raining down other than water. Never came across it, though and haven't heard about it since.
Well, it was chemicals IN the rainwater, so you weren't wrong. I remember my mum telling me not to drink the rain (as a kid) because the air over Dublin was so dirty.
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I go by AcidRaynne in some circles. People don't even get it anymore. I'm glad
Why can't they put such regulations on these huge corporations that contribute to global warming? There is more than enough research to elicit action, yet here we are. It seems like companies now have the option to reduce or not reduce the amount of toxic pollutants they produce. It should be mandatory worldwide.
It was the climate policies of Bush that drastically reduced acid rain. The notion that only Democrats can save the planet is false advertising. Both sides of the aisle have their pro-environment types. Instead of fighting, they need to work together.
Many historic buildings were damaged by acid rain and repairs are still ongoing.
I just assumed that was because all rain is now acid, not just localized precip. Glad to be wrong!
Too bad that didn’t get more press if people could see that changes they make actually can Chan get the environment it might give people some hope!
While it's great that improvements have been made, fragile ecosystems are still vulnerable to the effects of acid rain. Things like diesel fumes are still very much contributing to this problem, but because the effects aren't as visible, the issue is no longer "newsworthy."
Actual toys in cereal boxes and cracker jack boxes.
politicians feeling ashamed when theyre caught lying
Please...average citizens on social media don't even care when they're called out on blatant lies/hypocrisy. What makes you think politicians would do any better? LOL
Ownership. We used to pay money and then the thing actually belonged to us. Now everything is rented or leased. Everything is sold "as a service". Music as a service. Movies as a service. Software as a service. Even printer ink as a service.
We spend and spend and in the end we hold nothing in our hands.
edit: You can also subscribe to clothes. Wear new clothes every month but never own them. You can also subscribe to cars. Clothes as a service, cars as a service.
Part of the trend where capital is held in fewer and fewer hands while debt is carried on more and more backs
Water beds.
another user added:
Used to have one. Nothing like forgetting to turn on the heater an hour before bed in the middle of winter.
You don't turn the heater on and off; you leave it on all the time like a hot tub or heated pool. When I got a waterbed I had to sleep in the living room the first night because it took a day for the bed to heat the water enough for me to not be freezing.
When you turn off the TV, how the image would shrink to a dot before slowly fading away.
Movie trailers with that deep voice guy doing the voice overs.
The Sears Wishbook
When my mom was young, she was born in 1930, when the Sears & Robuck catalog came my grandmother would ask her and her sisters which dress they would like and then sew it for them.
Taco Bell used to have a chihuahua as their mascot. Little dude just disappeared one day and anyone born after 2000 probably doesn't even know what I am talking about.
I think people have noticed now but at the time, nobody noticed it was happening: 24 hour stores. I live in a major city and we don’t have a single 24 hour grocery store ever since the pandemic.
Yeah I live in a 24 hour city and NOTHING is 24hr anymore. I feel terrible for those who work overnight and can't do things like grocery shop during their normal hours.
Panama papers
another user added:
They actually still have impact to this very day, and lots of people noticed!
But as a summary, here are some things that happened:
After mass protests, the Prime Minister of Iceland was forced to resign, along with many other members of the ruling party.
After mass protests, the President of Pakistan was forced to resign, along with many other members of the ruling party.
Worldwide, hundreds of people – many rich and powerful – were arrested. Billions in stolen assets were returned to the people.
82 countries changed their laws to crack down on the wealth hoarding the papers revealed.
Service clubs. e.g. the Rotary, the Lions, the Shriners.
Oh, they're still around. But a common complaint among them is they've got no members under 70 and no new members are lining up to get in.
EDIT: The #1 question seems to be, "What the hell are these, anyways?"
They're social clubs with the primary objective to be doing projects to better the community. They might raise money to build a new playground, a new hospital, for scholarships, stuff like that.
They raise money for stuff.
Shriners are still out there helping kids. Bonus, they wear fantastic fez hats and ride those tiny cars in parades! shriners-6...2c8bde.jpg 
Landlines in residences. The jacks are still in almost any house but I rarely see anything plugged in anymore. The only people I can think of with them are all over 60.
That class for keyboard typing n stuff.
Buying a new game and having a thick chunky manual filled with game lore which you would read before playing and so heighten the anticipation of the game itself.
Ronald McDonald.
Too many people are petrified of clowns.
Flash mobs
Blackberry phones!
I still have one in my Lost Technology Museum. AKA that drawer in the living room.
Free samples. I used to see free sample standes every time I went to a store, now they are gone.
I now realize ( from all the comments ) that Costco apparently still has them.
Picture in Picture TVs
another user added:
I miss this. Playing Crash Bandicoot in the tiny corner of the screen while my mom watched General Hospital on the rest of the screen.
Or playing videogames with friends in one and watching the match in the other
The American Chestnut Tree.
We sing “chestnuts roasting over an open fire” every year and yet never question why we have no chestnuts.
All the chestnut trees are dead is why, you see.
Stumbleupon... I remember all my classmates and my Mom used to use it years ago
Google+
The word "Cyberspace"
Tesla has a "cyber truck", no idea what makes it "cyber" though, sounds like Elon was trying to hard to sound futuristic.
Note: this post originally had 40 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
I can happily say that when I moved to my adopted state five years ago, I chose a tiny city of less than 4,500 population that is very quiet, very peaceful. My apartment is delightfully quiet---good, peaceful, cooperative neighbors, nobody gets into anybody else's business, and we don't have an actual street we're on, just our driveway-parking lot combo, so nobody rips through here. Super nice, beautiful scenery, great place---and income based, so the rent is very low, no matter who lives here.
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Google challenge: Finding 2 word google searches that return only q result.
Pagers and the company that had a monopoly where I live, Pagenet. Everyone had one clipped to their person. Doctors and such probably still use them for speedy notifications, but for a short time in our history. they were the latest and greatest. Pagenet was such an arrogant company - they thought they would rule the world forever.
Evening classes. You used to be able to take short classes at college in the evening in things like pottery and car maintenance. There's nothing like that near where I live and I'd really like to learn to sew/alter clothing. YouTube is great but not the same as having a teacher.
Maybe you can find a seamstress or tailor in your area who will agree to teach you. Sometimes dry cleaners have seamstresses; it can't hurt to ask.
Load More Replies... Peace...and quiet. I feel sorry for anyone under 50 who can't leave their phone behind, find a quiet, shady spot in the woods. Walk away from your phone for awhile, find out who you really are. Intersected is enlightening. Let's stop buying into what social media is trying to sell us. They are liars.
Guess I am behind the times. My phone and computer still have them?
Load More Replies... Metal antennas on cars now it is some small plastic protrusion on the roof.
skylanders. I have like 30 but you cant get the app anymore. I loved that game. rip skylanders.
I liked Skylanders but I HATED skylander Spyro's look. They took the child and put him through puberty man :(
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To be fair, why hire a guy out who might not go anywhere that night, when you can contract it out?
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Cartridges for video games. They used to be ubiquitous until about the late 90s when the PlayStation took off, now the closest we have to them are game cards for Switch.
So you can 'buy' them online but not really oen them or sell them
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Skype: I never seen anything wrong with it that made people abandon it..
I definitely noticed the 24 hr stores disappearing. Used to be on a 3rd shift schedule and would shop after work. The pandemic made that impossible. I also really struggle with crowded areas so shopping has been hell for the last 3 years now and the stores have already said that they don’t plan on ever going back to 24 hrs :/
Chimneys on houses. I honestly never realised this until recently, but all new houses are built without chimneys. Which makes sense but it does make me wonder if kids draw houses differently these days (like how they hold an imaginary phone differently to those of us who grew up with landlines).
Sour starbursts, I use to love those things. Also the crispy m&ms, and those cheesecake bars.
I can happily say that when I moved to my adopted state five years ago, I chose a tiny city of less than 4,500 population that is very quiet, very peaceful. My apartment is delightfully quiet---good, peaceful, cooperative neighbors, nobody gets into anybody else's business, and we don't have an actual street we're on, just our driveway-parking lot combo, so nobody rips through here. Super nice, beautiful scenery, great place---and income based, so the rent is very low, no matter who lives here.
Load More Replies... Google challenge: Finding 2 word google searches that return only q result.
Pagers and the company that had a monopoly where I live, Pagenet. Everyone had one clipped to their person. Doctors and such probably still use them for speedy notifications, but for a short time in our history. they were the latest and greatest. Pagenet was such an arrogant company - they thought they would rule the world forever.
Evening classes. You used to be able to take short classes at college in the evening in things like pottery and car maintenance. There's nothing like that near where I live and I'd really like to learn to sew/alter clothing. YouTube is great but not the same as having a teacher.
Maybe you can find a seamstress or tailor in your area who will agree to teach you. Sometimes dry cleaners have seamstresses; it can't hurt to ask.
Load More Replies... Peace...and quiet. I feel sorry for anyone under 50 who can't leave their phone behind, find a quiet, shady spot in the woods. Walk away from your phone for awhile, find out who you really are. Intersected is enlightening. Let's stop buying into what social media is trying to sell us. They are liars.
Guess I am behind the times. My phone and computer still have them?
Load More Replies... Metal antennas on cars now it is some small plastic protrusion on the roof.
skylanders. I have like 30 but you cant get the app anymore. I loved that game. rip skylanders.
I liked Skylanders but I HATED skylander Spyro's look. They took the child and put him through puberty man :(
Load More Replies... To be fair, why hire a guy out who might not go anywhere that night, when you can contract it out?
Load More Replies... Cartridges for video games. They used to be ubiquitous until about the late 90s when the PlayStation took off, now the closest we have to them are game cards for Switch.
So you can 'buy' them online but not really oen them or sell them
Load More Replies... Skype: I never seen anything wrong with it that made people abandon it..
I definitely noticed the 24 hr stores disappearing. Used to be on a 3rd shift schedule and would shop after work. The pandemic made that impossible. I also really struggle with crowded areas so shopping has been hell for the last 3 years now and the stores have already said that they don’t plan on ever going back to 24 hrs :/
Chimneys on houses. I honestly never realised this until recently, but all new houses are built without chimneys. Which makes sense but it does make me wonder if kids draw houses differently these days (like how they hold an imaginary phone differently to those of us who grew up with landlines).
Sour starbursts, I use to love those things. Also the crispy m&ms, and those cheesecake bars.
