Rent is the only check I write, everything else is online payment. I've noticed since the economy tanked summer 2008, we're getting a lot more checks (comparatively speaking) written at the bookstore, for some reason. Most of the check writers are senior citizens, but some younger people do still write them.

I have no idea what the first video on MTV was, so I'm unqualified to answer the question.

Answered upthread! C'mon, man! Video Killed the Radio Star.

First YouTube video uploaded: Me at the Zoo by one of the YouTube founders Jawed Karim.

I'm looking down the list of biggest communication advances of the Oughties. It was a good decade for revolutionary technologies. They don't even mention TiVo!

I would not want to return to a world without Tivo, Google or Wikiepedia.

Scandinavian countries and Ireland have already voted to phase out cheques

I was in Norway last week to serve as a dissertation opponent, and I never had a single reason to use currency. Everything was credit cards, even buying a stamp or getting on a tram. On the trains, you don't even buy a ticket. The system keeps track of where you got on and where you got off, and charges your credit card accordingly.

In fact, the money I had (from a previous trip) wasn't even legal anymore. They do have legal currency, it it's not too old, but from what I could see it was considered poor manners to use it. A check would really be strange.

My last bill that I had to pay by check (garbage pickup, incidentally) just started offering electronic payment as an option this very month. I did discover a store that accepts checks but not debit cards recently, but it's not one I feel a great urge to shop at.

I write checks for rent, two of three mental health providers, and at least one utility.

Recently amyth borrowed cash from me at a show, then immediately paypalled it back to me via iPhone. Ah, tech.

Norway is the future!

I just watched the 787 make its maiden takeoff.

Only 2 1/2 years late.

I just watched the 787 make its maiden takeoff.

That looks like a nice plane.

What's the debit/credit surcharge to businesses? I feel guilty using cards for small purchases because I'm sure the vendor is being dinged disproportionately.

And for some reason I don't think to pay by credit or debit when I get sent a bill in the mail. That's just habit. I just have very few ad hoc bills these days.

787:

Why should we care? 50% of this plastic plane is made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, and 15% of it is made of aluminum, making it a lot lighter than other airplanes, giving it 20% better fuel efficiency than comparably sized planes. It's not sacrificing speed for efficiency — it zips along at the same speeds as today's fastest airliners, Mach 0.85, or around 647mph.