Just like the switch to television from radio, seniors may take a little longer to become accustomed to the changes, said Peter Krapp, an associate professor of film and media studies at the University of California who researches digital culture.
"Of course, just as with children who first encounter technology, seniors will need someone to patiently demonstrate how things might work for them," he said.
"After that, the learning curve is obviously a different one: children quickly develop astonishing dexterity on gaming consoles and computers, while older people may take care to transfer their habits and skills into the new context."
As far as the endangered blue boxes go, hope still remains for people like Ohlverter that his neighborhood's box will be spared.
Although customers' complaints are few when boxes are removed, the USPS will restore them in communities where there's enough uproar, Sauter said. During the current round of removals, four boxes in Baltimore were reinstalled in response to complaints from customers.
ebb of snail mail
In Maryland
Total U.S. mailboxes in Central Maryland: 2,300
Boxes removed over the past decade: 800
Boxes targeted for removal in the current round: 350
Boxes restored after citizen appeal: 4
Across the nation
Total mailboxes: About 160,000
National decline in mail volume through the third quarter: 48.5 billion pieces
Percentage loss compared with same period last year: 5.5
Net loss so far: $1.13 billion
