DAILY DIRT: For many, it’s a time to reinvent themselves

It’s hard to imagine a world without some of the following occupations, but those days are coming … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 428 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Since the turn of the current century, the job market has undergone some drastic changes, overhauls and reversals.

I waded through numerous websites projecting which occupations to avoid in the coming years. Here is a sampling of 10 of the most frequently mentioned. I have listed them alphabetically:

• Broadcaster: Industry consolidation is causing a reduction in these careers. Both television and radio announcers are finding their livelihoods on the chopping block, according to to Kayla Heisler of career developer fairygodboss.com.
• Lumberjacks: Almost 70 out of every 100,000 workers in the logging industry die each year. And the pay is not great, either. Truly a dying profession, according to workandmoney.com.
• Mail carrier: As more people begin paying their bills online, staying in touch through social media, and relying on email to communicate, the volume of items sent via snail mail is becoming increasingly scant.
• Middle management positions: Instead of relying on an extra boss, companies are replacing these positions with enterprise software programs such as Oracle.
• Newspaper reporter: According to the Pew Research Center, newspaper circulation has reached its lowest numbers since the mid-1940s when the United States had a far smaller population. Most Americans now receive their news from online publications, which has led to an especially sharp decline of print-only newspaper positions over the last 18 years, according to anyone who can see.
• Photo processor: Thanks to the ubiquity of phone cameras and digital cameras, the number of film processing jobs has experienced a sharp decrease. Currently, there are less than 25,000 photo processors in the United States, and that number is expected to decrease by sharply over the next four years.
• Semiconductor processor:While fields related to technology continue to boom in many areas, the number of those fabricating microchips and circuits is diminishing. Semiconductor factories now rely more on automation than human hands.
• Taxi drivers: Apps like Uber and Lyft have have made catching a ride easier than ever.
• Travel agent: Now that online reservation systems can make anyone a travel insider, this career is on its way out.
• Watch repairmen: This position is being rendered obsolete. Not many people wear watches these days.

2.  This week we wish a happy birthday to:

• Rapper Snoop Dogg turns reaches age 50 on Thursday. Keep up the great commercials, Snoop.
• Media personality Kim Kardashian will be 41 on Friday. Put some clothes on, Kim.
• The late Mickey Mantle would have been 91 on Thursday. Rest in peace, Mick.
• Former quarterback and current TV commercial star Doug Flutie will be 60 on Sunday.
• Former Indiana basketball coach Bobby Knight will be 82 on Tuesday. He was a grumpy young man, I’m sure he’s a treat now.

3. Three of my favorite quotes about the World Series, which is right around the corner. 

Gold medal: “The best possible thing in baseball is winning the World Series. The second best thing is losing the World Series.” — Tommy Lasorda.

Silver medal: “You don’t just accidentally show up in the World Series. — Derek Jeter.

Bronze medal: “What does a mama bear on the pill have in common with the World Series? No Cubs,” — Harry Caray.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — That quote from Harry Caray stirred some great memories. It was back in the 1980s when I was still living in Ohio and we got WGN on our cable. I never realized how entertaining Harry was until that first Cubs season I got to experience. I truly feel sorry for today’s young fans who never got to experience his take on the grand ole game.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He is our Harry Caray.