Life without the internet (second coming of Jaesus)

So a couple of weeks ago, I did not have the internet for two days due to a dead cable modem. At that point, it became apparent that life without the internet sucks. And by that, I mean my life is quite pathetic. When we were kids, the technology didn't even exist, but nowadays a lot of us are completely dependent on it. When we're not on the internet, we could be exercising, hanging out with friends, reading a book, listening to music, watching tv, and going out. I do all of those things, but somehow it's better with the internet. Probably because we have complete control of where and how to find information, find what we want to read, listen and watch, and still contact/communicate with friends in a variety of ways.

We have a special case with our very own Jae, who is a survivor of life without the internet for one whole year. How did you manage? Was it tough at first? Are we bastards for taking everything else for granted?

As for everyone else, do you think you'd be okay with not having an internet connection for a year? Is it an addiction? Is the internet the scourge of mankind?

I wasn't sure where this was going from the thread title, but yeah to be honest I think I struggled more without the internet when I was 15/16, I moved to England and didn't go online for 2 years, this was in the midst of my flame war period at the NLSC and I was pretty attached to it considering I'd left school and had very little to do during the days. I think the amount of instability I've had housing wise over the last like 4 years made this non-internet period easy because really what's worse, three states and 9 houses in 4 years or not being able to tell some Pinoy in the patching section that he's a moron. I slept better, found more things to do with my free time, but was also generally quite bored and constantly searching for some sort of mental stimulation. I spent literally hundreds of dollars on music in the year, which is the first time since I got the internet that I'd actually paid for music. I fell so far behind with NBA news/results etc that I stopped watching it alltogether, I guess in summary...

Positives:

Had to find more constructive things to do with spare time
Slept better generally
Found it quite easy to let go of things I used to enjoy (downloading tv shows, being able to get new music as soon as it comes out etc)
Being able to make other people look like they have no lives by stating that I don't use the internet

Negatives:

Lost all sense of what was happening outside of Australia sports-wise
Had no idea what bands were doing what, new albums etc
Didn't have the general stress relief that comes with chatting about random stuff to strangers
Boredom
Less convenient, everything from train timetables to university courses to job searching was more difficult

So yeah it's do-able for sure, and probably healthier in alot of ways but if it's there why reject it. There's always been a negative stigma towards people playing video games too much, now it's using the internet too much... before all that it was working too much. People just have to do what makes them happy, unless you're some shut-in who thinks WoW is a life simulator and hasn't seen direct sunlight for 7 years then there's a problem.

At least, I think that internet is some kind of addiction, just like video games, only even more avalaible. When I didn't have the internet (not that long ago btw), I could live without it easily. Now I just can't imagine my life without it. I don't know if I'm using it too much, but it seems that things are slowly going that way.

Although I'm quite addicted, I admit, but I think I could easily live a month without internet/computer. It would be tough at the start, but you get used to it. Earlier this year I was about 1,5 week away from computer/internet etc. and it wasn't that bad, I got used to it and I didn't have the urge for it. It was quite relaxing actually and when I had chance to access computer/net again, I wasn't that interested into it, but eventually started to spend way too much time behind computer again.

I am addicted to my games, not to the internet itself. When we lost internet Friday + part of Saturday I was pretty pissed cause I couldn't play most of my Rockband DLC songs because I still haven't transfered my licences from my old console. When my PC controllers die or stop working I get pretty pissed as well.

Internet...not so much, I love you guys but I've gone streaks without internet. Kathryn on the other hand is pretty bad. She spent a night at work and said she didn't know what to do with herself since she spends all of her freetime on her laptop.

I'm more worried about the kids in highschool right now. With their iphones and shit. Constantly connected to everything where I enjoy breaks from it.

if i'm provided with a good alternative i will survive. real life >>>>>>>>>

I usually do outdoor activities when I know my computer is going to be dead for awhile. It happened quite often since i play with computer parts quite often. Not a bid deal, but... if it's going to be like weeks and months, I don't know... It will be like a drug addict trying to stay away from drugs without any medication or professional help.

:lol: I wasn't sure where this was going from the thread title

Yeah, it's a tad misleading, but since your return is the hot topic around here these days (glad you're back Jae!!), I thought it might draw some people's attention.

Some of these comments really sounds like we are addicted to the internet. Not a bad thing as it's more productive and enriching than drugs and alcohol, unless the internet is solely used for gaming then yes, we have a problem.

Final unrelated comment: obesity is not a disease.

I'm sure I could live without it, but I don't want to. The internet replaces the newspaper, television, radio, weather radio, encyclopedia, and dictionary for me.

To say I couldn't live without it would be a bit melodramatic, I'm sure my other interests would fill the time instead but it has gotten to the point where I consider it a necessity. As far as my business is concerned it is actually necessary but from a personal standpoint I'm certainly dependent on it for news, research, entertainment and staying in touch with people. If I wasn't running a website I could probably go a few days without it and kind of did a couple of weekends ago, though all the same I made sure I had access so I could check in and get email.

I think the amount of instability I've had housing wise over the last like 4 years made this non-internet period easy because really what's worse, three states and 9 houses in 4 years or not being able to tell some Pinoy in the patching section that he's a moron.

Not bad, I've moved like 27 times in 28 years, including living in 6 different places in my 2nd year of uni when I was 19 So I can understand how annoying the instability can be. Got so sick of moving of the years that I've been in my current house two & a half years & don't have any desire to move anytime in foreseeable future. In my 2nd & 3rd year uni I didn't have access to internet outside of weekly visit to my dad's place & the odd time at uni if I was willing to pay for it. I also fell out of touch with NBA outside of watching playoff games (supporting Blazers & Kings of course) on a small tv in the uni canteen and the Live series during this time.

If you live with internet, I find you always want to use it, just out of habit. The ultimate time waster. I also find it relaxing, as mindless surfing and so on, which is good. But it's not so bad to live without it. My older brother doesn't have internet access now he's split with his wife, so he just goes to gym 4-5 days a week, plays for the Fighting Irish bball team & plays indoor soccer on his work team. Keeps himself busy.

If you live with internet, I find you always want to use it, just out of habit. The ultimate time waster. I also find it relaxing, as mindless surfing and so on, which is good. But it's not so bad to live without it. My older brother doesn't have internet access now he's split with his wife, so he just goes to gym 4-5 days a week, plays for the Fighting Irish bball team & plays indoor soccer on his work team. Keeps himself busy.

Yeah, internet really is a way of relaxing. Especially when I got home from school. I really wonder what will the world be if there's no internet.

I really wonder what will the world be if there's no internet.

It would probably be like 1990

A World with no internet... the economy would be shit and everyone would be freaking out and... oh wait.

I'm sure I could live without it, but I don't want to. The internet replaces the newspaper, television, radio, weather radio, encyclopedia, and dictionary for me.

This. And imagine all those things seconds away and accessible on one device.

Just look at the things you'll be able to do:

phpBB [video]

The best part is how it puts "OWNS HOME COMPUTER" under the guy.

Just look at the things you'll be able to do:

I love how the guy can't read shit at 1:57 due to the size and contrast of the screen.

I really wonder what will the world be if there's no internet.

It would probably be like 1990

1990? What happened in that year?

Well, the Sacramento Kings were one step closer to realising they'd made a mistake in 1989. I also started school...most people are probably more aware of the former.

They didn't go wrong. He's never nervous.

There are many benefits when you stay away from computer.

1.You watch less porn,so you try harder to have real sex.
2.You are burning more fat
3.It's good to your eyes.

Check this one out.... it's eerily accurate:

phpBB [video]

There are many benefits when you stay away from computer.

1.You watch less porn,so you try harder to have real sex.
2.You are burning more fat
3.It's good to your eyes.

I think you should follow your advice and leave us be with our fat blind selves in having robotic sex.

Haha, love how the father was shaking his head at the bills.

Check this one out.... it's eerily accurate:

phpBB [video]

The impressive thing about that video is it's actually real and not a clever spoof made to look like something from decades ago accurately predicting future technology (like this one).

When my computer got busted in college for a couple of weeks (too lazy to get it fixed), I actually started to do more productive stuff like reading books. I was starting to read my roommate's required reading for his lit class even. And I was sleeping early too. Then when I finally got my computer done, it was back to the same old addictions.