Shorthand writing served a small part of the population and while it could be considered a unique skill, it’s not generally needed. Its purpose was to keep up with voice dictation, mainly in office environments, courthouses and in the world of journalism.

Then we developed typewriters and voice recorders.

There are still niche groups who attempt to learn shorthand (and still part of some training courses in Britain for journalism), but it’s mainly irrelevant. I taught myself a version of it for the sheer preference of jotting quick notes on paper that nobody else could decipher.

Irrelevant, but can still be used.

Such are the many skills replaced by technological advancement where innovations make the process easier. In the instance of writers, there are a few who use a typewriter, or even write by hand, but it’s safe to assume all of them use a computer to draft their work.

However, the act of writing itself is not a fad as evidenced by its thousands of years of use to communicate a message.

The act of staying healthy rests on two simple ideas: eat right and exercise.
Building wealth can be summarized on a post-it note, but can be even further reduced to a simple axiom: spend less than you earn and invest the rest.

Yet, in those two areas we find the greatest amount of fads. I have yet to find a person still committed to Tae-Bo, or someone with an Ab-doer faithfully used in their home. I have also been witness to many people who hand over their money to snake oil salesmen who make the promises of a wealthy tomorrow through whatever means necessary (mainly preying on a person’s fear or greed).

Then there’s education.

Getting access to young people with impressionable minds is a dream for many looking to cash in on the future. To give an example, I once received a phone call from an organization who wanted to pitch their campaign to our student body… right before the memorial service of a student who passed away. Their reasoning was a vague and loose connection to the student.

To say I was angry with the gall of their attempt is putting it mildly.

It requires the highest amount of discipline on the part of the teacher to keep away the fads and irrelevance of skills that are considered “necessary.” It’s difficult because every student body, student and teacher is different.

What works in one classroom may not work elsewhere and yet people want to extrapolate one successful room (or school) as a blanket statement for education everywhere. With the advent of social media, success stories about numerous methods are rampant with no way to filter.

Patience, observation and reflection are the keys to seeing through fads and irrelevant skills. Wield all three with great force.