The Internet: Amazing, Fucked Up, Addictive, Asinine?

[Linus]

I have to use the Internet for my job (I work in computers and can't escape it in many ways). For me, it's a double-edged sword. I love all the possibilities that's it's opened for those who might not have had access to the world. When you think of all the things we've learned or that have changed due to things like Twitter, Kickstarter, Facebook, etc. it's impressive. Has some of it been bad? Without question. As with any tool, how you use it and what you're goal is determines how "bad" or "good" something is.

One of the things that irks me is the "anonymous" person who feels that it's ok to defame/slander/libel someone because no one knows your identity. This may change based on the results of the trial going on in PA (http://rt.com/usa/fbpdplt-philly-anonymous-comment-186/). This will set an interesting precedent if it does come to pass.

[princessbelle]

I was just discussing this very subject with someone last night....

I think internet usage for me waxes and wanes. A couple of years ago i was constantly online either for social reasons or looking up news, video games or just surfing. I think i probably just got burned out and it was for a variety of reasons from it became somewhat boring to a lot of negative energy that i was privy to.

New ways to communicate and keep in touch are invented all the time. I do have my smart phone with me constantly and keep up with social media on and off , email, breaking news and weather. I do enjoy face timing with people which is more intimate than say, chat. But, to just sit in front of a computer and surf, it is now less than an hour or so, one or two times per week.

It's ironic really. I once considered myself addicted and now i sometimes have to make myself log on just to make sure i'm not missing something. Somehow the fun of it has soured.

But then again, tomorrow i could find myself with that need of communicating with the world that only the internet can fulfill.

I believe the only thing that is consistent in life is change.

[Breathless]

I could and would give up the internet IF I lived somewhere that I needed nothing from it, IF I had no children or friends or family to keep in touch with.. IF IF IF .. to be honest.. I don't think that I could ever willing give it up permanently. I use it for everything from social media, to contact with my kids, my parents and my friends, especially my BFF, at work even our phones are through the internet, research is a vital part of my job, could you imagine reverse phone number look up WITHOUT the internet? I gave up TV for over 2 years, didn't even have one in my house, and didn't miss it at all. I recently decided I should have a house phone, don't ask me the number (cause I can't remember) and I don't answer it when it rings, because I forgot to give out the number when I did know it.. ha..

I think I would give up some other major things to keep internet if i needed to.