It’s been a little strange.
Four whole days without any internet access from home.
(Goodness knows how we used our entire data allowance in less than a month!!)
I guess we could have taken the macbook to a local pub or cafe with free wifi.
We also could have paid a top up to get us through the last few days.
We decided instead to ‘go without’.
A couple of things happened because of our little experiment.
Firstly my readership plummeted, proving that you have to be present and involved to sustain a blog.
Secondly I got me thinking about life before The Internet.
What did we do?
How did we find out about things?
How did we keep in touch with friends?
I could go on and on.
Only four years ago we purchased our first computer (a white emac) and I remember my girlfriend had to teach me how to do a google search! I spent some time checking emails, Brendo would play some games and, well thats about it. Our first broadband plan was 200 Mb/MONTH (prior to this we would semi regularly visit internet cafe’s to check our emails)
Now we both spend some time on the web everyday. I spend at least 2 hours, and some nights have clocked up to six (I can’t believe my eyes when I read that!!)
So what did we used to do?
I almost can’t remember! I’m pretty sure I went out more, read more books (the paper kind), spent more time talking face to face with people, walked more, swam more, traveled more…. hang on maybe I’m confusing “Life Before Internet” with “Life before Children!”
And how did we find out about things?
What we couldn’t find out from the TV, news paper or magazine we probably asked someone else or read in a book. We may have even ventured a trip to the LIbrary. Potentially we were content knowing a little less?
And how did we keep up with friends?
We simply had less friends. Quality friendships rather than quantity? In many ways, the internet has made our lives busier, and has extended our circle of “friends” way beyond the capabilities of offline friendships. As a life long traveler, the internet has enabled me to reconnect with friends from all over, people I thought I’d ‘lost’, as well as keep in touch with the girls from home. This part I truly love.
So what did we do in our four days without the internet?
I guess in a way it felt a little bit like when you leave the house without your mobile, slightly disconnected, with a weird sense of freedom. We talked more (and yes sometimes about information we needed to look up once we were reconnected) played more games and watched more movies. You know, not that much really!!
What would you do?
