Perhaps a generation who might never understand the art and craft of putting together a perfectly formed mix tape; squeezing that last song in, checking the tape counter, fading before the non-magnetic tape switched to the non-recordable "holding" tape... yes the mix tape was a labour of love.
Maxwell Chrome - my tape of choice
Mix CD's are quite the same either. For a start your listener can jump tracks.. that was never the idea... the sequencing of the tape was the journey.
With mix CDs the skill is taken out of it. Your told how much time is left, how many tracks will fit, some burning software will even do the fades for you. Plus, perhaps worse of all, you can re-jiggle the running order at a click of button... I used to plan out my tracks on paper first! Giving some one a mix CD, (even a very good one) doesn't quite carry the same weight as the old mix tapes.
http://www.tapedeck.org
See also a pictorial guide to the iPod vs. The Cassette