What has gradually disappeared over the last ten years without people really noticing?

My twenties

companies not owned by other companies

Physical retail stores.

Online shopping has its perks, but man I am really getting depressed at seeing so many stores close up and not return. Entire shopping centers become ghost towns and leave one or two businesses left behind.

Christmas shopping is depressing too. I can’t believe I miss the mall crowds. I hate crowds, but I miss it. I miss everyone being so happy and dressed up in holiday attire and the mall being dressed up too.

Now it’s just a bunch of knock off stores there. Disney store is gone, Sears is gone, gamestop is no longer there, even the food court sucks.

What’s going to be worse is when more leave and we are truly dependent on online shopping. The cheap prices are going to go up with these retailers knowing you have no choice but to go with them.

Clothes shopping online is horrible. Car shopping online isn’t ideal. Even with guaranteed refunds and trials…it’s just not the same. I miss getting an item and staring at it all the way back home. You get a similar feeling waiting on a package and it feels nice in a similar way, but I want to have both.

Nobody really seems to be recognizing this trend.

Privacy

Ownership and therefore citizenship and democracy...

and me irl

The CD section in most stores. With the rise of digital stores and streaming, as well as the return of vinyl it seems most people aren't really into them anymore.

Insects.

The existence of my hair. Glad I established myself as a hat wearer when I was young.