2004 law banned cell numbers from phone books
In 2004, Congress passed a law prohibiting cell phone numbers from being listed in phone books, accelerating their decline.
Where this was said
Three Forces That Killed the Phone Book — and Who Still Uses It
At 15:44 · chapter starts 15:10
The phone book didn't die in one dramatic moment — it was chipped away by three successive forces [1] — Chuck Bryant "Three forces dismantled the phone book in quick succession: 411 free information lines in the '80s, the internet, and a 2004 Congressional …" 15:03 . First came 411, free directory assistance starting in the 1980s, which let you call a person to read you listings instead of hunting through a book yourself. Then the internet arrived and made finding businesses trivially easy. Finally, in 2004, Congress passed a law prohibiting cell phone numbers from being listed in phone books, dramatically narrowing the White Pages' usefulness to landline-only households. But the phone book never fully died. A 2024 poll found that more than 50 million US homes still have a landline, and 10% of all Americans still use the Yellow Pages [2] — Chuck Bryant "A 2024 poll found that 10% of all Americans still use the Yellow Pages, and among those 55 and older, almost three-quarters do. As long as …" 16:00 . Among those aged 55 and older, nearly three-quarters use it to find businesses. Josh, now in that demographic bracket, takes playful offense at being lumped in with 'the olds.' The episode closes with a genuine endorsement of Seneco Glass in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio — still advertising in the Yellow Pages, still serving local customers.
50M+ US homes still have landlines in 2024
A 2024 poll found that more than 50 million homes in the US still have a landline, meaning they continue to receive phone books unless they opt out.
The Phone Book Is Not Dead — 75% of Seniors Still Use It
A 2024 poll found that 10% of all Americans still use the Yellow Pages, and among those 55 and older, almost three-quarters do. As long as people use it, businesses have an incentive to advertise in it — and the Yellow Pages has every reason to keep publishing.
10% of Americans still use Yellow Pages
A 2024 poll found that 10% of all Americans still use the Yellow Pages, and among those aged 55 and older, almost three-quarters use it to find businesses.
75% of 55+ Americans use Yellow Pages
Among Americans aged 55 and older, almost three-quarters still use the Yellow Pages to find businesses, according to a 2024 poll.
Similar snapshots
8 states have filed social media lawsuits
A total of 8 states have filed lawsuits against social media platforms, including an ongoing case in Tennessee, using product liability and public nuisance theories to seek accountability.
France built 56 nuclear plants in the 1970s
France built 56 nuclear plants in the 1970s and now has the cheapest energy in Europe, making it independent of Russian or Middle Eastern energy geopolitics.
Estonia has one tax form
Estonia has a single tax form, a law preventing the government from asking citizens for the same information twice, and a flat rate of tax — enabling competitive taxation.
Lisbon legalised drugs and slashed crime
Portugal's Lisbon, once a city with a major heroin problem, legalised drugs and redirected enforcement spending into rehabilitation and housing, dramatically reducing crime.
Boland Amendment vote: 411-0
The first Boland Amendment banning CIA and Defense Department funds for the Contras passed the House unanimously — yet the Reagan administration ignored it.
Saudi Arabia donated $32M to Contras
Over just two years, Saudi Arabia alone donated $32 million to the Contra rebels, giving loosely affiliated factions millions they had no way to spend on arms.
National Endowment: 52% program rate
The National Endowment for the Preservation of Liberty raised $6.3 million for the Contras but only $3.3 million reached them — a shockingly low 52% program expense rate.
Secord & Hakim marked up arms 300%
Richard Secord and Albert Hakim marked up their arms shipments to the Contras by as much as 300%, making enormous personal profits from the covert operation.
Oliver North had zero covert experience
Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North, tapped to run the entire covert Contra support operation, had no prior experience in covert operations whatsoever — he was learning as he went.
