Disclaimer: I hate the internet, but am fully immersed in it most of the time because I have to be.
(Don't you hate people who use colors you can't see?)
(Don't you hate people who use colors you can't see?)
The internet has helped the world advance technologically and has helped connect the different parts of the world to each other. One can't help but love the internet for all of its conveniences, but we also can't help but hate it for its conveniences at the same time.
I love the conveniences that the internet has brought to the world. We can be globally connected with the click of a button, and pretty much anywhere the internet is available. Doctors don't have to wait weeks for results from labs because they're all uploaded to them, storing information is much easier and computers help the environment (to a point). All those things are great, but the one thing that I can't stand is being constantly connected. There's never a moments peace.
I am of the very first dial-up modem generation (I remember when AOL went online), so the constant connections that Broadband, Cable and DSL internet gave us are great because we can now use the Land Line without dropping the computer off the face of the internet (ha!).
However, I don't know about you, but calling my house to check my messages was the highlight of my day if my family was out of town. I couldn't help but be excited to know if my boyfriend had called, or if that return call my mom was waiting for came from the doctor. The answering machine is now a relic that most of the millennials don't know existed, much less how to work one, but I really miss mine.
I miss my answering machine, and I hate my cellular telephone, because it is REQUIRED to be jacked into the internet or it won't work. People can ALWAYS reach me, and they get extremely offended if I don't answer them immediately. WHY IS IT SUCH A BIG DEAL IF I DON'T ANSWER YOU IMMEDIATELY?!? THE WORLD IS NOT GOING TO END! These are the things I yell at the stupid brick in my pocket when it constantly buzzes with the immediate "OMG" or "LMAO" that has just arrived.
I always think, "I have my own life and I'll get back to you when I feel like it," then the damn thing buzzes again because everyone knows I have one, and they're too persistent because that stupid picture of their cat just can't wait for a response that will most likely be "LOL" or "LMAO".
Hell, I'm sitting on my bed with my laptop that is constantly hooked to the INTERNET, listening to Hulu on my "Smart" television which is hooked to the INTERNET. I can't submit assignments to my instructors without this piece of tech, much less write this REQUIRED electronic blog for Peppers class without the INTERNET. Without the INTERNET I can't look at my assignments for Peppers class because they are on a WEB PAGE. News broadcasters cannot do their jobs without the INTERNET because everything they do is broadcast over it now.
When I go on vacation for the UEA holiday, I will have this piece of tech with me, and did not book any rooms that do not have free Wi-Fi, because the successful completion of my college degree DEPENDS on being able to submit and complete assignments over this thing called "The Internet". Vacations aren't un-plugged and private any more because of the INTERNET.
The major negative thing the internet has caused is this constant connectivity. Everyone wants everything right now, and there is no patience involved any more. The world has become very selfish with regards to time because of the INTERNET. If I didn't have to have my Galaxy Note 3 to keep me connected to all the vital parts of my life that have gone digital, I definitely wouldn't. You'd all have to send me a letter, on paper, in an envelope, with a stamp on it.
Do you even know how to do that?
I miss my pager. I liked that people could let me know they were trying to get a hold of me, but there was still no social expectation that I'd necessarily get back quickly. I feel that with a cell call, people think you're ignoring them if you don't return the call in 20 minutes or lesss.
ReplyDeleteWhat's interesting is, I don't feel like people expect me to get right back to them because of mobile devices. Texting allows for the leisure of responding on your own time. They are not intrusive. I don't get offended if people don't reply instantly. It's actually more of a shock when they do. People are busy. They might not have their phones on them. Their phones could be dead or in the hands of one of their children. I almost find phone calls a little bit rude. The caller is intruding into your time and demanding you give them your attention. Most people with whom I associate only call for emergencies, so I'm pretty good at getting back as quickly as possible.
ReplyDeleteI personally miss the days of only contacting through phone calls. It was so much more personable. I kinda hate texting really. It's lazy. How hard is it to pick up your phone and call someone? I had to have this discussion with my fiancee when we first started dating. I feel like the internet has ruined social skills for the newer generations. They're lazy. My parents refuse to have a smart phone or even have texting enabled on their dumb phones. Sometimes, I wish we could go back to the days of only pagers and phone calls. But oh well, times change so we have to as well.
ReplyDeleteAs technology advances it will be harder to remember the old ways. The people that understand the old ways will become very important figures when we loose all this great technology. We as a modern society are so involved with our technology the day when we have to start over again may be a very dark and scary time.
ReplyDeleteSo put your phone on silent and let the voice mail work. Set your voice mail message to, "I've gone fishing" and enjoy the beauty the world still provides. The rest of us and our gadgets will be here when you get back.
As technology advances it will be harder to remember the old ways. The people that understand the old ways will become very important figures when we loose all this great technology. We as a modern society are so involved with our technology the day when we have to start over again may be a very dark and scary time.
ReplyDeleteSo put your phone on silent and let the voice mail work. Set your voice mail message to, "I've gone fishing" and enjoy the beauty the world still provides. The rest of us and our gadgets will be here when you get back.