A long time ago, in a place that might seem like another dimension, the internet did not yet exist. It was a sad place, a grim world where conversations took place over the telephone and in person. It was a place where people had to keep up the pretenses of being polite, respectable people, lest they be viewed as angry, raving lunatics. And as for information? Well, it moved slowly. So slowly, in fact, that documents were moved in things called envelopes and driven on trucks to their destination. Sounds like the damn dark ages, doesn't it?
Really though, what would happen to the world today if the Internet was suddenly yanked out from under us? I'm not asking what things would be like if it never existed, either. I want to know what so many internet-reliant people would do when faced with a sudden, permanent loss of instantaneous communication.
I've got a few predictions:
1. The global economy would take a massive, MASSIVE hit. I'm no economic forecaster, of course, but it doesn't take a number-cruncher to recognize the how many companies are reliant on the web to make their profit. Millions would be out of work, and IT workers would find a major part of their expertise circling the drain.
2. There would likely be a sudden pregnancy boom. With so many people finding that their favorite web hobbies are no longer available to them, it's realistic to think that people might start spending more quality time with their significant other's. Additionally, with the inevitable collapse of the pr0n industry, people will have to try harder to stay carnally satisfied, leading everyone to new relationships and lower expectations. Clicking and wanking will no longer be a replacement for a girlfriend.
3. Support groups would spring up overnight. Facebook withdrawal, coupled with numerous other forms of detox symptoms brought on by internetlessness will bring the weak-spirited to their knees. The mantra "Hi, my name is [blank], and I lost all my [insert social network here] friends." will be repeated thousands upon thousands of times. Pills will be popped, alcohol consumed, and coping will ensue. It will be a long, hard process for many.
4. Slowly but surely, people will stop acting like assholes. The internet has always had the unique ability to turn people who would normally be smiling, polite citizens into malicious morons with nothing better to do than berate their fellow man for a difference of opinion. The slower pace of information may also serve to keep people's nerves below boiling point. Without the barrier of anonymity that the internet provides, incidences of flaming should dissipate quickly and be left to the only place it really ever belonged anyway: Congress.
5. Obesity will gradually decline. Usage of the internet also involves a great deal of sit-on-your-ass-itis, which means that without it, people will begin to use their legs more often and slowly venture outdoors again. Computers will still be useful for various activities, of course, but the idea of getting up to smell the roses will take hold more easily without the addictive lure of the web.
What would you do, or what do you think would happen if the internet were suddenly gone?
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Comments (69)
I'd probably live a healthier life. I'd actually call people or hang out with them in person. I'd go shopping at the mall. I'd probably be more productive. I wouldn't be distracted at work. My grades would improve. I would get a normal amount of sleep.
I'd cry myself to sleep.
Seriously though, those were very good points. I hope this never happens..
I'd probably just become addicted to the TV again.
Gee, we might actually be real people, and not faceless drones typing words 24/7 instead of speaking to our fellow man.
Hell, I'd give up the Internet if it wasn't a necessity nowadays. My whole life is on the Internet, whether I want it there or not. I'm not alone. Everyone really would self-combust.
Before I had internet access, I was a kid playing basketball, playing pretend, and watching TV.
Now that I'm all grown, I'd probably get a part time job, and somehow be desperate enough to find friends to spend time with. The internet is so debilitating for me hahah
I'd actually finish my book. And probably sleep more. And read more. Would I be more sociable? Probably not.
Play tabletop RPGs and keep my house a lot cleaner.
i would probably read more books and waste less time putting off hw. as great as the internet is, it has quite a few significantly negative effects on society. this is a particularly thought-provoking blog and the first that i have ever recommended.
Those are pretty good predictions! :D. Anyway, I'd probably focus on my study more.
all I know is that I'd be INCREDIBLY bored.
and my hand would probably eventually fall off, because instead of typing, i'd be written everything >_<
I'd go back to what I did before. TV, video games, and hanging out with people. Oh and add to the pregnancy boom. Just kidding. I'd punch a baby till whoever controls it turns it back on.
I'd go back to reading books as my past time. LOL
Nice predictions!Quite scaryyyyyyyyyyy!
I'd read A LOT and work out!
I think communities would come back into existence. With a global internet community many have lost the realization that there are people around them with things to offer, as well as needs.
People would buy more American and less Chinese, and people would not be going to college as much because you couldn't do it so easily from home. That would actually help the economy because people would have to raise the basic job salaries because more people would be demanding it. With so many degreed individuals with worthless skills from these random colleges, jobs are scarce for those without a degree.I'd probably go outside more.
i'd see sunlight.
incidences of flaming should dissipate quickly and be left to the only place it really ever belonged anyway: Congress.
Best line of the whole blog.lmao Sure, there would be alot of people who would suffer if the internet disappeared. I have to admit that it has helped me out during this recession. Times have been tight so I've had to keep a clampdown on my spending. So, I spend more nights at home, instead of going out with my friends all during the week. It's helped me save a lot of money. So, if the internet went away suddenly, I would be ok, but I'd be out more money. I don't know what I would do for sure, but I think I would be fine. Others, I'm not sure about. I think all those people who rage on the internet would go back to raging on the road, so that might be a downside.
Go outside and play. :D Back to the kid days
I'd write & paint more like I used to do.
and Al Gore would colapse where ever he was and die, the instant the internet was destroyed.
Be shitt loads more jacked and a lot more well read
Hmm I dont think obesity would decline. If internet AND tv died then yes. People just wouldnt have anything to do to. They would be smarter because they would waste time by reading or going outside (less obesity)
Living healthy at the cost of the internet getting destroyed? Sounds like a bright future to me!
I read the bible a lot when I wasnt exposed to the internet to pass time
Dance with joy.
The first predictor is true. A lot of businesses are online and that be a big impact to especially startup entrepreneurs. But besides from that the world would be very boring. We wouldn't know any more about the world events. I'd be bored. And more.