Was life better before the internet?

[one eyed jack]

The internet has reshaped the world, some may say for the better, others may say for the worst. I'm not so sure about this

I miss the old days before the internet.

I made a shit load more money back then thats for sure but I cant grumble, the internet made me more global and has been good to me but I still miss the good ol days before the internet.

It just seemed a bit simpler than it is today.

One of the most annoying things about the internet has to be all the girls constantly texting and the recent obsession with social networks.

OMG thats me too typing here.

So is the future brighter? Is it Orange?

[steve56]

Hi OEJ ,i often think about this myself and thinks its better ive learned stuff looking at old film tv radio sites that id never had known before

[rgb]

No. I remember how difficult it was to get information before the internet; and knowledge is power.

[planeterotica]

one eyed jack wrote:
>
> So is the future brighter? Is it Orange?
>
planeterotica wrote:

No its Green thats why i take part in the naked bike ride so i can chat to all the gorgeous naked girls protesting about climate change or something, and that would never have come about if it hadnt have been for the internet !wink!

[frankthring]

Well I am sorry One-Eyed Jack, but old-timers like you or me are in a
minority but the clock will not go back so there we are ! Personally,
I loathe everything about this modern age.....well, most things anyway.
Every bloody electronic gadget gets more and more complicated to the
point now where, if you are not totally gadget-obsessed or got a degree
in electronics, you cannot get the fucking TV and video to work properly !
And don`t even start me on the laptop or mobile phone (the latter with
300 functions you do not normally need).
And people ! The streets are full of idiots talking at the top of their
voices into electronic gadgets so I have to hear their infantile
conversations, girls chatter gossip all the time on twitter, hooligans plan
their next riots. If anyone can give me 20 honest reasons why twitter is
great for the world I will buy them a bentley.
I could rant for hours !! But enough ! We are stuck with the web and all
the rest....time I went and had a cup of horlicks, put on my balaclava
helmet, and played an old repeat of "Dixon of Dock Green" !

[mrchapel]

I dunno , I mean there was piracy before the internet. Most porn was on a pirated fuzzy vhs tape that`d get passed around whereas today you can buy and download it online.
Also easier to buy other stuff from obscure movies to memorabilia and sweets from America.
Alternatively its also led every arsehole to think they can make porn, which has made it either all boring.

[Ned]

It's only about ten years since I started using the net and I cannot remember what life was like without it. Seriously.

[sparky]

On one hand as RGB says information that now can be found almost instantly could take a lot of effort to just find the source and then days to obtain.

Products can be compared and reviews read in a few minutes any time of the day or night instead of trawling shops and the library for magazine back issues.

I have numerous items bought on eBay I could not have afforded or justified new plus bought many small items in minutes instead of trawling round town to find a stockist.


However on the other hand I agree with OEJ that smart phones with packages with 1000 or more inclusive texts and Facebook, Twitter etc have become an obsession for some people.
A work colleague tells of his son and girlfriend who are constantly texting / messaging each other but when actually together were sat almost silently looking bored.

[one eyed jack]

I agree with the speed and access to information but do you think this level of reliance of the internet has taken away other social skills?

For instance I notice there is a growing number (if my real couples site is anything to go by) of people meeting their partners on the internet. More so than the usual dating channels of yesteryear

Do you think the internet has changed our lives for the better socially then? If anything I think people are displaying more signs of selfishness these days but maybe I am being influenced by all the negativity I read on the forums and in daily life