Who killed the SASE?

Today's title Who killed the SASE? was born out of feeling a bit contrarian and contrite.

We had an idea for a post in mind, then decided to not write it, and promptly got very upset at self when we recognized self censorship in action. TheEditor, rude as always, exclaimed: Fuck censorship! Oh, and never say Fuck the Censors, because these morons will think they might get laid!

What is a SASE?

In today's attempt to exploit the comedic potential of any random web search results list, we categorically state that SASE has nothing to do with Concrete Grinders (result no. 1) or SASE on eBay (result no. 2).
The Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics? Nope.

Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers?

If you look at Western media coverage, wouldn't Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers be just another, longer name for "China"?

For our readers under 80 years of age, SASE is a self-addressed stamped envelope. For many years, this was the only way to get information from organizations like charities,  schools, or from overseas.

You had to go to the Post Office and buy the exact value of stamps or the exact number of international coupons. If it was an international exchange, you needed another resource that allegedly has become scarce today: patience.

Six to eight weeks was considered fast in those days of slow food and slow transportation.

Returning a book you bought this way? You'd find a better use, like propping up an unstable table. Or throwing them at your dog as it was chewing up a slipper in the far corner of the room.

As to who killed the SASE, blame Western Union or the credit card. Is there a niche SASE culture, similar to vinyl records or polaroid photos?

We don't know. If you type SASE into the search box of the Universal Postal Union web site, you get nothing.

So, has the Postal Union, derided by some as Big Letters, killed the SASE? Or was the search futile because the French abbreviation is different?