i think it will live on for collectors. there aren't that many digging spots around me anymore but if i ever go on a trip to a new town i have a look around for any second hand stores. if they have a stack of records then i instinctively go through and examine every single one of them. some people i know who also produce, but don't dig, don't get the process. they say you can with the internet and the vast amount of music out there why would you drop money on something that could potentially be crap.
yeah it's not logical. i do have a lot of records that are complete shit. but i also have some fucking gems. some people like vinyl and some don't. i don't worship it or anything but i do feel some sort of odd connection to it. if i have something on mp3 and i get it on wax, the first time i play it on my turntable it feels like i have the "real version" of the recording. i don't know if that makes sense. it just feels more full. not that actual sound or anything. just the entire experience.