Answer: Do for record stores what Barnes and Noble and Borders have done for bookstores. Borders is a place to go sit, enjoy a sandwich (or a cup of your favorite caffienated beverage), and browse books for fun. Make a 'record store' a place that people can go to enjoy music. Have live music playing during the day, like modern chamber music. Make the experience fun and interactive. Add places to sit and relax. Have jukeboxes with big libraries of quality music, that people can download to their ipods.
Newspapers:
Technology will have to advance a lot in 10 years to replace newspapers, and maybe it will. But the internet needs to be able to deliver something that people can carry with them on the subway or in the airport with minimal fuss. Personally, I'd like to see newspapers be smaller and more portable. I want something like a magazine that I can hold in my hand and isn't gigantic cumbersome mess like newsprint.
Used bookstores:
Answer: Similar to the record store issue. Used bookstores have a problem in that used books tend to be dusty and smelly. Extra steps need to be taken to be sure that the experience of visiting a used bookstore is a pleasant one in spite of this.
Coin-operated arcades:
Answer: Once again, the answer is a viable public space and pleasant customer experience. That's what movie theaters and mini-golf courses have in common. Do people really go play mini golf because the game is really that fun? Mini golf is fun, bur more importantly it is a social event. That's what Arcades were, when they were popular. I think theaters are declining partly because catering to teens appears to be cheaper. So for most people, going to a theater is not all that fun.
I agree with you about the record stores. Actually, Starbucks (believe it or not) appears to be gearing up for this. They sell CD's now, but I read an article (sorry, no link) a while back about how they were looking into creating download stations where you can burn a CD while you have your coffee.
Can't say I like the starbucks vibe all that much, but it isn't a bad idea.
Thing is, do you think this would work for music as well as it does for books? For now, music can be digitized and delivered over the web more readily than books (I've bought a few ebooks, but I don't like them much). I do miss album art, but I'm not sure it's enough to overcome the convenience of iTunes. I suspect people would be more likely to stay in their dorm room/bedroom with friends listening and downloading.
Live music might bring them out, though - that's a possibility. Record stores have started to do this, too.
Answer: Do for record stores what Barnes and Noble and Borders have done for bookstores. Borders is a place to go sit, enjoy a sandwich (or a cup of your favorite caffienated beverage), and browse books for fun. Make a 'record store' a place that people can go to enjoy music. Have live music playing during the day, like modern chamber music. Make the experience fun and interactive. Add places to sit and relax. Have jukeboxes with big libraries of quality music, that people can download to their ipods.
Newspapers:
Technology will have to advance a lot in 10 years to replace newspapers, and maybe it will. But the internet needs to be able to deliver something that people can carry with them on the subway or in the airport with minimal fuss. Personally, I'd like to see newspapers be smaller and more portable. I want something like a magazine that I can hold in my hand and isn't gigantic cumbersome mess like newsprint.
Used bookstores:
Answer: Similar to the record store issue. Used bookstores have a problem in that used books tend to be dusty and smelly. Extra steps need to be taken to be sure that the experience of visiting a used bookstore is a pleasant one in spite of this.
Coin-operated arcades:
Answer: Once again, the answer is a viable public space and pleasant customer experience. That's what movie theaters and mini-golf courses have in common. Do people really go play mini golf because the game is really that fun? Mini golf is fun, bur more importantly it is a social event. That's what Arcades were, when they were popular. I think theaters are declining partly because catering to teens appears to be cheaper. So for most people, going to a theater is not all that fun.