Topic: Do you sometimes wish internet was never invented? Wouldn't your life be better? (Read 3680 times)

It is a great tool if you don't abuse being on internet and lack normal social contacts

Internet is great for communication, business, fun, almost everything.
Without Internet we will have also communication, business and fun but on much lower level, and we will be also happy but we will live in very limited world.
This is my opinion.

I'd prefer it if money was never invented. If everyone had only as much as they were able to provide to others, this world would be a better place.

The internet is an astounding resource. It's brought me countless opportunities that have enriched my life.

Having said that I do wonder how it might affect young folks who've grown up with it in their lives from minute one.

I was around long before it ever existed so it gives me that much more appreciation and awareness that there's a whole world beyond. By the sounds of it some people don't seem to realise it can be, like, turned off if it all becomes too much.

bump

A lot of people have internet addiction and it reduces their real interaction with people and they become very unskilled to face to face interraction which can be a huge problem in their lives

While you become rich you have to keep an eye on all the other things needed to be happy or you will not be that much more happy than when you were poor

No, internet is amazing, the only problem is being poor and not rich as fuck.

if it was not the Internet supposed to change my job

Information is accessible and you can learn about the truth by "independent" bloggers like here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NWeRl1dECs&list=UUC3L8QaxqEGUiBC252GHy3w

But bad governments agencies use internet to spy and store informations about citizens

If the internet wasnt invented we'd all still be living in the matrix.

Steps:

1.) Information liberated

2.) Money liberated (in process)

3.) ?

I don't really have an opinion on it. To me, it's the same as gambling, alcohol, and other vices. The solution is never to take it away, but there is a critical difference with what the OP actually asks, because we never talk about actually taking something away - we talk about governments banning it, which is usually has the opposite effect of what's desired.

-But no, I think the positives far outweigh the potential for addiction and some of the less preferable societal changes it's brought - maybe not for everyone, but there are plenty of luddite societies willing to provide an environment where the Internet effectively doesn't exist, though that usually comes with plenty of other restrictions, too. Alternately, you can just move somewhere where there is no Internet connection available, which is made up of a surprising number of places (at least in the US), some without even satellite ISP coverage. Where I am, in a rural community, I do have to put in a lot of effort for an Internet connection which I use from my phone and which requires boosters and antennas (I maintain the hick look by using beer cans so the omni antenna is directional, though ).

Fair enough. How do you feel about the subjects touched on by many here -- the problems of internet addiction (especially for children), lack of social interaction and physical activity -- this type of thing?

If there were no Internet, I'd be working in a factory and eating really shitty food. I'd have no means to acquire the tools to create much unless I drove to a city, except for general house-maintenance tools. I'd have basically no access to culture outside television programming. I would have enormous additional expenses from not being able to replace services with Internet access, including television and landline service. I'd be in the dark on anything legal, needing a lawyer constantly to understand basic stuff, along with a CPA to file taxes.

Moreover, without Internet access, I'd likely have no exposure to major ideas which've been spread. I would never have read Voltaire or Nietzsche because I never would've even heard of them. OTOH, I may have blissful ignorance. Heidegger and Nietzsche have both pushed me to be more ambitious, but they've also taken the fun out of a good bit of life.

Without the Internet, industrial and agricultural innovations would still lag far behind, with rural areas most likely to be destitute (which may mean even higher population density in cities). Since global companies likely would have no contact with many of the smaller American industries they've lately been buying up on their failure, there may also be a much weaker manufacturing base in the US, with rampant unemployment. I never would've found property so cheap, and wages likely would've never normalized like they have, so working in a factory (if it existed), I'd likely be making a relatively poor wage (while what we now call developing nations would likely be stagnant or contracting, with rampant disease and true exploitation of the workforce). Due to heightened inefficiencies, taxes would also be significantly higher with fewer social programs. Due to increased difficulty in being able to earn a living and reduced effectiveness of LEOs, crime rates would likely be significantly higher. An inability of civilians to effectively communicate would likely result in many more draconian laws, and a relatively crippled ability for civilians to respond, with lobbying groups truly dictating the law.

That's just touching on the tip of the iceberg.

Yep, pretty depressing. I'm addicted to the internet/computers/phone like most people I see around me. I'd like that to change. I'm trying hard not to let it bog down my social life/exercise/outdoor activities as it has the past couple years.

From the business and communication side of story I don't think that our life could be better without Internet.
but, it's true that in Internet age people don't spend so much time together, kids doesn't play together outside like their parents, virtual life replace real life in some way...

It allows the circulation of information very easily so if you want you can get the truth but most people don't look for the truth and internet allows massive surveillance

The internet has allowed globalization to expand and become a bigger part of the global economy.

Yes, it is particularly worrisome for kids.  But that's mostly on parents.  It's up to parents to make sure that their kids grow up as well-rounded individuals, which may require limiting their internet time.

Internet is one of the best thing that happened in out times. although there is also dark side of it, totally depends on you.
 Look how convenient it made our lives Instant Mails, Instant News, Instant Videos anytime anywhere, Communication , Employment, Innovation.
 One things that haunts me about internet is Kids not taking their eyes off smartphone screens,  uploading most awkward stuff that one can imagine, and missing all the actual fun they can have outside of the virtual world . Internet is  that convenient that one can blame it for making people lazy.

I think it was beneficial for humans that we have internet. For me it is very beneficial, many jobs created, many things simplified and here is bitcoin and forums overall. I get many info from it, we can also monitor what is going on around the world, we can comunicate for free all over the world for free, that is the thing which is worth it. But i also agree that internet caused some problems also, like maybe some criminals use it to get victims, to trade drugs, to do illegal stuff.

Indeed, I think many have lost sight of these important things. I'm all for innovation, the faster spread of information and knowledge. However, I am not in favor of people staring at screens 16 hours a day. Where I used to see people socializing and having fun, they are often just staring at their phones (even when they are out with other people). And I do worry about kids, with addiction to this sort of thing, and with instant gratification. I wonder if kids will grow up to be very socially awkward, having given up much of traditional socialization in favor of the pseudo-socialization offered by the internet.

No really.
I think Internet really help us in numerous ways, communication, doing business, sharing news almost instant.
Of course, it's not good to depend to much on Internet or spend to much time, specially for kids.
We should also develop our social life outside of virtual world, meet and talk with the real people

No, maybe it would be cool to see life without the internet but the minute you have to fix, find, or do something you have never doen and cant google it, it would suck. Just imagine fixing you car and having to use an old manual from autozone instead of watching a youtube video. You can literally ask anything on a specialized forum and get the answer within 10-20 minutes if google cant. Are some people slaves to the internet? Sure but its up to them to change that.

Yeah, I'm in no way claiming that the majority or even a large portion of people is actually doing something useful, but yeah I guess most of the times just pondering about life and take a look outside is better than what those people are actually doing

That's a good point.  I'm sure some of them are using their phone in constructive ways (which includes relaxation).  I'm just thinking of things like missing a beautiful sunset (even from a bus window) because you're buried in your phone.  But, I guess, some people don't care about such things anyway.

The internet really made my life better though. I meet new friends and learnt more what i have learnt from school, so i really love the internet. <3

Most people looking at screens on trains are not doing something intelligence thus are not in the process of better themselves but if you are, it doesn't matter than it is a screen
Meditation and thinking on the train can be very empowering and beneficial, not all thoughts are empty

Maybe some of them are just using their time on the bus doing something intelligent. Reading the news, a book, listening to TED talks, doing something creative. I don't see how this is worse than looking into the empty eyes of people on a commuter train. I've been there!

Thanks to internet I'm paid to write and train my English. Without it, my English knowledge would be less than 25% of the current one.

Also I would never be able to study many things I study now, because they are kinda of blocked by my imediate social median, so my life would be dull and black and I probably would consider suicide everyday.

I personally love internet and would happly be the personal slave of whoever makes it comes true for 10 years in gratitude.

When I was in college and everyone used AIM, my roommate and I sometimes joked about sending each other messages across the room.  Now I see people texting each other across a table at a restaurant...really sad.

Learn to get better, put yourself in the situations you don't like and you will get confortable in these situations soon enough


People do miss out because of staring at their phones, suggest shutting down your phone when you are with friends, people highly appreciate it

Just about everywhere I go, I see people on their smartphones...on the bus, walking down the street....  A couple weeks ago, I saw someone sitting on their front porch in the middle of a beautiful day, just staring at their smartphone.  It's so sad--people miss so much beauty because they're buried in their phone.

our life would be amazing and pure without the internet - "see through pink eyes"

yeah because i'm no good at meeting friends

You got involved in that because of the internet?

A downside is that I wouldn't be able to watch Tomorrowland live right now.

i would have not got involved in hallucinogenic drugs, and fucked up my life.

Social skills are going down and people spend way too much time connected, it has been proved that it could be a source of depression

as Mirter Urs Hoelzle says ..

" it all losted at low level"

lol

Most people don't notice it but we are actually almost all affected by this. Socialization is slowing vaporizing.

if you undertaing postal code u got about everything about "addressING and coordinate";


but

we are chalingeing (at asic level) who is the fast est" = F

You wouldn't miss it even if you spent 12-14hours online everyday 7days a week?

Have noticed you miss some real social connections when you spend too much time online and connections face to face should be prioritized

Looking back on my life, it is so hard to tell.
I didn't have internet until teens and found an interest in computer programming soon after.

While I would probably be more active in terms of activity (society in general may be), I'd have to say through all the experiences I have had, people I have met through open connections and the information I have learned... Ultimately, having access to the internet has been for the best.
Posted from Bitcointa.lk - #0A0sjic98ubyyG4k

yep .. because if you can talk about arpnet ... my plesuare ...just to see how far my cisco certification know how going to ... ( sorry Michael Bushong ) 

it's not the internet, but the 1980's your after.  too bad you lived too late

what u mean ? are u rewriting tcp port ?

Now is the internet, tomorrow will be Bitcoin, after tmorrow who knows.

No because AOL & Prodigy sucked.
No because I can't see dozens of hot naked chics IRL whenever I want.
No because I can find out facts as fast as I can type.
No because I make a huge salary because I understand how to use google. (shhhh!)

Internet good no Internet less gooder.

I don't wish that at all!!!.

Sure enough I spend a lot!! of time on it but I don't think it's a waste of time, I learn a whole lot everyday and I meet so many different people from all over the world. Just can't think of my life without it.

I spend on average 12-14 hrs online 7 days a week. If there were no internet I'd be playing/walking/daydreaming in the woods all day long 
I love the internet and everything but I wouldn't miss it at all if it were to suddenly disappear 

yes ...

for new guys on linux Kernel .... install pakcage ( Patrick Volkerding, 1993 )

ps_> sorry Jeff_G ... hope it will be fun ... (bsd group)

I would not say that life would necessarily be better without the Internet. It sure would be different.

It's an interesting thought to imagine life without the Internet or even (one step further) without telecommunication at all. People would be forced to do many things face-to-face (again) which have become impersonal because of the Internet. So that would be a positive aspect.

On the other hand a lot of things do work easier with the Internet and you have access to an extremely rich environment of information and services.

I think I can't answer OP's question. I would have to try living without the Internet for some time to decide.


ya.ya.yo!

While it's true that internet is a nuisance to my productivity in "real-world" occupations, I feel that the advantages it brings by allowing one to be connected to world-wide communities and up-to-date with so much information and knowledge makes it worthwhile.

The kids these days are playing games on tablets/pc or actually being on FB. That's what their childhood is made out of.

Yes because I wouldn't be up every damn second of the day trying to gather bloody Bitcoins.

Nice video.  While I don't see anything wrong with enjoying playing online video games with friends and posting about some restaurant you discovered, I think people are losing the art of social interaction.  My best memories as a kid are hanging out in front of my house talking with my friends until nightfall because I couldn't be out at night.  I doubt I would remember them if I was online chatting.

Just watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3eHUtMQlcY
I couldn't find the original upload.

Generations of idiots, smartphones and dumb people. 

Agree that internet relationship are incredibly less rich than a real relationship face to face because it is virtual

Internet has to be used for productive things and like a tool; it is very unhealthy to be stuck on it all the time and to depend on it for pleasure

Sort of?  It has full out zombified some.  I was down town last night and a group of people glued to their phones started crossing the street.  They didn't notice the light turn green and were still only half way across.  Cars started honking and one yelled out to f off as they had the walk signal.  Totally clueless. My buddy yell at them that the light was green, they seemed shocked.

There were a couple young people at my last job, couldn't keep a conversation going, but could text like no tomorrow. Groups in pubs not saying a word to each other, but glued to their phones.

I've given up some friends because of their phone addictions.  The fact there are now pubs that will give you a discount if you lock your phone in a box speaks volumes as to how bad the problem has become.

My father always said the internet would be the downfall of society, I think he was on to something.  The internet can be a very good tool, but most use it to build fake farms with real money. LOL!


Tell that to the people that are addicted to it and can't function without it.

If there was no internet, then I would not be working. Internet gives real freedom.

Like so many things in life, moderation is important.  The internet has done many amazing things for society.  In many ways, we would be worse off without it.  But if you spend too much time on it, it can be detrimental.  Social websites are great for staying connected with people and sometimes meeting new ones, but you really need to spend time with people face-to-face to have real relationships.  You can do amazingly fast research with the internet, but you have to be careful to find reputable sources, and you need to know your own limits.  You need to know when it's time to unplug and go take a walk outside.

I started using internet last year but the internet is a great thing in the world where we can find everything with multiple solution . I started online work with the help of internet and earn few bugs for my survival with the help of the internet , I am addicted to my internet and my bitcoins if it will go I can't live

There's certainly that to be said -- no internet = no bitcoin. And I've learned a lot and made quite a bit of money riding the bitcoin roller coaster, so one point for the internet.

My life would be crazyly harder and dull without internet. I would never have acess to all knowledge and possibilities that I have now, and would be limited to the people and possibilites from my immediate surroundings.

Plus no bitcoin to make me easy money

But cell phones are expendables and I hate them

While it allows my life to speed up and do things more easily in some aspects (have stuff shipped to my door) it has slowed down other things where a simple human interaction could have saved 1 hour of me sitting on a phone (online banking errors).

That's all well and good and everything. And don't get me wrong, I love the internet and my phone -- but mostly, I'm just addicted to them. And what I've noticed is that people are becoming much more socially awkward. I wonder how kids are gonna turn out. There are already studies coming out that the majority of kids now have coordination/balance problems because of constant phone use. I can't imagine it's good for the eyes or the body in general, and phone/internet addiction greatly contributes to an inactive, unhealthy lifestyle. Just my two cents.

When I want to pick up some freelancing work, what do I turn to? The Internet, of course. Half the time, yes, it is a time-waster. However, I can't honestly say that my life would be better without it. I'd probably be sitting around twiddling my thumbs right now without it.

I agree, I hated just sitting their on the train/bus being bored.  Playing games is way more fun.  Talking to random people is definitely a skill that could be developed easier w/o all the new technology, but you can also look up how to do it on said technology :p

What do you think they should be doing? Reading a book? Oh wait, they might just be reading a book on their phone.

Writing a letter to a friend? Maybe they're writing an email to a friend. What do you expect these people to do? Socialize with random strangers that they'll probably never meet again? Seems like a great way to be rather annoying!

SING IT SISTER!

Yes, more or less.

I remember having to go to the "adult" section in the video store, or feel like a creep buying a dirty mag at the local convenient store hoping no one I know sees me lol.  Now I can feel like a creep in the privacy of my own home and not waste money

hmm, neither do i. but... pretty much everyone i know and see out in the world -- on the train everyday, in the workplace, on the street -- they are all constantly looking at their phones. this is not the case for you?

I don't have teenage friends...

The internet is the greatest thing ever!  I actually wrote a blog on this but I don't think I can link since I'm a newbie.  My life would be incredibly boring without the internet.  I've forged a lot of business relationships online and also made many friends.  I likely would have never traveled since it was too hard before the internet.  This is a really interesting topic, I hope it generates a lot of posts and discussion

no

how about all the people staring at their phones 24 hours a day?

Well, I actually was born before the Internet was invented, I never feared progress, I think these are amazing times to be alive and experience this transition in global communications and economy, plus free unlimited porn.

it has sort of zombified people -- but so did TV before it. so maybe it's just a natural progression. but with smart phones now, people are becoming very socially awkward, physically inactive, just constantly obsessed with the internet. it's really quite sad.

I honestly don't know what I'd do without the internet. Of course, we wouldn't know it existed, so things would be very different anyways, but even so... I spend so much time on the internet that it really would completely change my life if I just woke up one day and the internet was no more. I don't think I'd be alone in that either.

Don't you wish sometimes that you were born before internet was invented so you wouldn't lose so much time online?

Internet is great because it offers so many possibilities, it brings people together and allow everyone who is motivated to learn about the world

Someone like Stefan Molyneux probably wouldn't have an audience without internet, now he can spread the knowledge to everyone who wants to listen and maybe we can change the world : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC3L8QaxqEGUiBC252GHy3w

But you can lose a lot of time online, our activities are being watched and we get to have too much informations which can be painful when you can't do much about the problems you are learning about