Could you handle a world where you no longer have the internet?

[Jayson1]

I guess with things like Net Neutrality being a issue this question I figure must have popped up in at least some people's minds. Could you go back to the early 90's or whenever you first went online and sort of go back to that life? If your younger and have known nothing other than a internet world do you think you could adapt?

Me I think I could do it. It would mean more money on dvd's and I guess I would get cable again but then I think things like Netflix and Hulu would sort of just become part of cable so in many ways that wouldn't change. I would most likely miss the Trekbbs the most but one thing I wouldn't miss is some of the conflict and trolling and bad behavior you also see on the internet. I wonder if it would encourage more real world clubs and groups to sort of recreate that sense of community that might be lost without it.

Jason

 

[Tosk]

It would take some getting used to, but yeah. I could do it. Some days I even look forward to being old and grouchy enough to drop it willingly. (40+ right now)

 

[Miss Chicken]

I would find it very difficult as I rely on it heavily for shopping as it is getting increasingly difficult for me to shop any other way.

 

[Avro Arrow]

I would not be happy about it, but I presume I would live.

I often catch myself wondering, "how did we get by before the internet?". I have no desire to actually find out.

 

[Jayson1]

I would find it very difficult as I rely on it heavily for shopping as it is getting increasingly difficult for me to shop any other way.

I wonder if something that I hear is big in LA with rich people is that you can call a groccery store and give them a list of things you want and they bring it to you I actually looked into this myself a little because I don't have a car and only recently am I really being able to get out and shop. Apparently Wal Mart is actually trying something like this in some locations.

Granted I'm not rich and most people won't be rich so I would assume that if you lost the internet that something like this might not only become more common but also cheaper so it isn't just something rich people can do. I even think people buying stuff from far away places would might still be something that continues. Instead of just putting something in your Amazon cart though you actually have to call someone on the phone and order it. In fact the phone option on the phone might once again become the main feature of the phones.

Jason

 

[Miss Chicken]

I order most of my groceries online. Both of our two biggest supermarket chains have online shopping. You can order nearly everything that you can buy in store. I have been doing this for several years.

I would hate to order by phone as I have hearing aids and I don’t always understand the person on the other end.

 

[Jayson1]

I order most of my groceries online. Both of our two biggest supermarket chains have online shopping. You can order nearly everything that you can buy in store. I have been doing this for several years.

I would hate to order by phone as I have hearing aids and I don’t always understand the person on the other end.

I'm curious. Does texting count as being part of the internet? I wonder if that would be something that could still be around to help people. Also is it possible to rig a lap top or kindle or a old school desktop computer to make calls, sort of like texting but not having to deal with tiny buttons on a cell phone to push which is something I had to do before in the past when trying to text. I think it's one of the reason I stopped ever trying to text people.

Jason

 

[MacLeod]

I guess so, I do remember a time before the internet.

 

[John Clark]

Probably as I survived without if for half my life. The net certainly makes somethings easier (access to certain government services for one along with online shopping).

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I assume that if this happened the apocalypse would have come about and I'd be too busy burying food and collecting water to care.

 

[UncleRogi]

Easily. I moved through the world when it had public telephones on every corner.

Also, I've never really understood the attraction of Twitter. Seems to cause more problems
than not. Cyber bullying is one very good thing to loose.

The net certainly makes somethings easier (access to certain government services for one along with online shopping).

100% agree

I assume that if this happened the apocalypse would have come about and I'd be too busy burying food and collecting water to care.

My thinking as well...

 

[Amaris]

Yes, and I wouldn't mind if that happened.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I would lose contact with many, many people without the internet.

Back to writing letters to loved ones overseas, lets see it will only take 2 weeks to get there. Back to printing photos and paying extra to mail them too. That whole lovely thing where you're having a family event or out with friends and your loved ones living far away get to share in the moments while they are happening.. gone.

And the information.. back to the library, the trips there, the waiting for books to arrive, researching topics of interest using often very old texts. This is even worse if you live in a small town or far out in the bush, you are literally fucked then unless you have a good income to buy every bit of information you might want. Oh but how will you do that without online ordering, you'll have to send for catalogs, oh but what about second hand and out of print books? You're fucked if you don't live in a major city rich with bookstores. Not having the internet would information penalize the poor and the geographically challenged.

 

[Gov Kodos]

The Tinfoil Hat community would return to obscurity.

 

[Velocity]

I think I might be able to live without the internet, but definitely would suffer without books.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

I'd survive, but wouldn't be thrilled.

 

[Gov Kodos]

The real problem with the question is can you handle having to go outside and have actual social interaction with physical humans beings?

 

[Peach Wookiee]

The real problem with the question is can you handle having to go outside and have actual social interaction with physical humans beings?

I could handle that, I think.

 

[Amaris]

I think I might be able to live without the internet, but definitely would suffer without books.

Without the internet, books, and more importantly book stores, would likely surge in popularity.

 

[DimesDan]

I would rather not on a long term basis to be honest, going camping with minimal tech and connectivity is ok from time to time though.