How are rare earth elements important to our technological world?

Rare earth elements are a series of chemical elements found in the earth's crust and are vital to many of the modern technologies in the world such as computers and networks, advanced transportation and consumer electronics. They help fuel economic growth, maintain high living standards and even save lives. Examples include:

Scandium. Used in television and fluorescent lamps.

Yttrium. Used in cancer treatment drugs, superconductors and camera lenses

Lanthanum. Used to make special optical glasses,  telescope lenses and also in petroleum refining.

Neodymium. Used in making some of the strongest permanent magnets, found in most modern vehicles and aircraft.

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how important do you think an instrument is to the musician who plays it?