Things that seem weird to teach kids today

Look at these two images: cursive vs print, analog vs digital. Both old forms were built for problems that no longer exist—quill splatter and wound-up springs. Yet, we still cling to them out of nostalgia.

Marketing analysis

Marketers fall into this same trap. We keep using tactics that were built for past limitations—like print-optimized copy or SEO tricks from 2010. Technology moved on, but habits didn’t. The challenge: replace outdated “forms” with tools that match today’s speed and platforms.

Why it works

• Keeps your brand relevant to how people actually behave today
• Saves effort by killing outdated busywork
• Creates clarity: simple beats fancy
• Opens room for new ideas and tech

Examples

• Netflix ditched DVDs for streaming.
• Mailchimp simplified newsletters for mobile.
• Airbnb stopped pushing discounts and focused on experience-based storytelling.
• Slack replaced email for internal comms.