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Visual observing, from a scientific view, mostly ended as a significant contributor to the science? in the mid to late 19th century or early 20th century as astrohysics became more the dominant method of astronomy. Of course there were exceptions contributed by amateurs and others but this became the exception rather than the rule. But there is still value in visual work from a personal satisfaction aspect and contributions within an amateur's grasp. It would be a shame to lose the art form; and it is an art form, gained over many nights of considerable effort. That is good enough for me. History and tradition do count.

I still love to occasionally? use my 70 year old, F/13, planetary refractor, vice my modern scopes, which are a lot easier to use, on many nights of lunar or planetary observing. Keeps you in touch with where we came from. Seeing the quality of the optics in the old scope makes you also appreciate the old style craftsmen and their pride of product before the factory system and mass production. They are gone now but their creations live on. Same for visual work. It's good to keep the old ways alive while we can.