I learned last week that Netflix is discontinuing its DVD by mail service after 25 years.

I have seen no commentary or chatter online about this. No surprise there--it is a legacy service to a dying form of media consumption. Sending a disc through the mail a few times a month seems ridiculous given the easy access to streaming platforms.

But I am sorry to lose this service. The limitations were its greatest strength. Having to think about what film I wanted to see days in advance meant that I only chose films I really wanted to see. I never killed time with one of those choices in the way I am tempted to with streaming services. Plus, the wide variety of little known films was unmatchable--films that were impossible to find on platforms that emphasized popularity over quality. And if the film was not to my liking, I was only out a couple bucks and didn't have to deal with a growing stack of DVDs I'd never watch again.

I'm sure Netflix has been losing money on that service for years and has to tighten its belt. Fine, business is business. I certainly didn't contribute much to the bottom line with my $5 a month (though sometimes that disc sat by the TV for months--I'm sure my average expenditure for a rental was close to just purchasing the disc). But I won't be signing up for their streaming service, or any other. I'll be waiting for something that doesn't pander to the impulse of the moment.