I totally forgot about the internet.
My coworker was looking for a phone number, and didn't know where to look. I reminded her of the website she was looking for.
And it stuck me, my kids will never know what life is like before the internet. It will always be there. And so my definition of childhood, playing and research are pretty much obsolete. My idea of sitting in front of a TV even, is drastically changed.
I remember watching a movie once, and seeing the character stopping and starting a cassette tape in order to figure out the lyrics. She continued to do it for awhile, and I caught myself saying "Jesus, just go check on the internet!"
Problem being, it was an eighties movie. There was no internet. I shook myself, and felt very very old.
I remember when we were first using the internet in school. I remember sitting at my friends house using the internet for the first times on her mom's mac. I remember being astounded at the sheer amount of knowledge. I also remember my history teacher being at a loss for how I should represent items taken from the internet in my source notes. The internet made research a breeze.
It all seems so normal now, but remember, only 15 years ago, it was more of a geek thing. EVERYONE was on dial up. Remember dialup? That sound....
Much as I grew up just being used to cars and TV, my children will never know a world that does not include cell phones and internet. How do I explain that at one time, you had to find a pay phone and hope you had a quarter? That people were not always available. That porn wasn't everywhere. That people only worried about strangers in the backyard, not on the monitor.
Oh brave new world! I'm glad these things are available to my children, but at the same time, I worry about their ability to shut down, shut off. I have a LOT of trouble doing that sometimes, endlessly searching for stuff I don't really need to know or see. Feeling connected to people who aren't totally real. Getting lost in worlds that are imaginary, but not created in their heads. Are we making things too easy for them? I spent hours in my backyard playing by myself as a child, creating my own little worlds. Will my children do the same? I've argued with my father before about it being a different world from when I was a child, how being computer literate is necessary in the new world.
I only half believe it. I still want my daughters to save the planet with sticks in the backyard.
I also want the internet to remain free as it is now. I'm not American, but to anyone who is, THIS is very important. Save the internet. Don't let corporations take knowledge and accessiblity away from the people it's meant to serve. From their website:
And it stuck me, my kids will never know what life is like before the internet. It will always be there. And so my definition of childhood, playing and research are pretty much obsolete. My idea of sitting in front of a TV even, is drastically changed.
I remember watching a movie once, and seeing the character stopping and starting a cassette tape in order to figure out the lyrics. She continued to do it for awhile, and I caught myself saying "Jesus, just go check on the internet!"
Problem being, it was an eighties movie. There was no internet. I shook myself, and felt very very old.
I remember when we were first using the internet in school. I remember sitting at my friends house using the internet for the first times on her mom's mac. I remember being astounded at the sheer amount of knowledge. I also remember my history teacher being at a loss for how I should represent items taken from the internet in my source notes. The internet made research a breeze.
It all seems so normal now, but remember, only 15 years ago, it was more of a geek thing. EVERYONE was on dial up. Remember dialup? That sound....
Much as I grew up just being used to cars and TV, my children will never know a world that does not include cell phones and internet. How do I explain that at one time, you had to find a pay phone and hope you had a quarter? That people were not always available. That porn wasn't everywhere. That people only worried about strangers in the backyard, not on the monitor.
Oh brave new world! I'm glad these things are available to my children, but at the same time, I worry about their ability to shut down, shut off. I have a LOT of trouble doing that sometimes, endlessly searching for stuff I don't really need to know or see. Feeling connected to people who aren't totally real. Getting lost in worlds that are imaginary, but not created in their heads. Are we making things too easy for them? I spent hours in my backyard playing by myself as a child, creating my own little worlds. Will my children do the same? I've argued with my father before about it being a different world from when I was a child, how being computer literate is necessary in the new world.
I only half believe it. I still want my daughters to save the planet with sticks in the backyard.
I also want the internet to remain free as it is now. I'm not American, but to anyone who is, THIS is very important. Save the internet. Don't let corporations take knowledge and accessiblity away from the people it's meant to serve. From their website:
Congress is pushing a law that would abandon the Internet's First Amendment -- a principle called Network Neutrality that prevents companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast from deciding which Web sites work best for you -- based on what site pays them the most. Your local library shouldn’t have to outbid Barnes & Noble for the right to have its Web site open quickly on your computer.
If you're american, take the time to contact your political representatives to make sure your voice is heard. All of our children have the right to enjoy their new world freely.
Hi -- Just delurking to invite you to add your supermom trading card to the mom's day salute and help spread the word http://hlb.blogspot.com
Posted by
Anonymous |
8:46 p.m.
I well remember my first experience on the internet, an old DOS computer, an amber monitor, and a brower called Lynx. Entirely text based, I don't remember what I looked up, or being particularly impressed at all. These many years later I'm still not impressed.
However, I've been drinking Yak Piss in the bar for several hours tonight.
Posted by
Anonymous |
9:52 p.m.
Completely agreed on the whole thing, especially that last part. These frickin corporations will exploit every opportunity they can to turn a buck.
Because, you know, they're not already rich ENOUGH!
Posted by
Anonymous |
12:18 a.m.
I definitely agree. I also get a nostalgic dose when I watch Cosby and they show the kids doing homework with pencil and paper. I think, get a mechanical pencil, or man does it suck to have to write out a book report -- I hope the writing's neat. Of course, don't even get me started on how much different stuff children learn as they grow up.
Posted by
Anonymous |
1:29 p.m.
When I read a a post where someone about the Internet and I can relate, I do feel old. However when someone reminisces about BBS and I can relate, I really feel old
cute blog, I found you on blogggggrrrrrrrr
Posted by
Anonymous |
5:46 p.m.
Found you on Blog Explosion.
Neat blog.
I started laughing hysterically at the mention of Whoopi Goldberg trying to figure out the lyrics to "jumpin Jack Flash". It never hit me quite the way it hit you...but you're right. If I needed to know today, that's exactly what I'd do: search the internet! Love that Google!
Posted by
Anonymous |
2:30 a.m.
Celtic I was waiting to see if anyone would recognize the movie... :P
I just feel old. period. Blarg.
Posted by
thordora |
2:10 p.m.