Life Without the Internet
At present, almost everything in the world runs on the very essence of
the internet. It was just a little over two decades ago when the world thrived
on what this modern day would call “antediluvian”. It was the ‘old way’ which
the elders and senior citizens of this day find so complicated and burdensome
to comprehend. But understanding the internet’s benefits and advantages is not
too necessary a task for such individuals; whether in their later years or just
out-dated by the modernization of the times. As long as they can get a glimpse
of their grandchildren on some tablet or cell phone; maybe talk to an old war
veteran buddy via Skype; that would be sufficient enough. The difference with
these persons and those who ARE adept with the utilization of the internet is
that, the latter don’t just shrug their shoulders when their network’s services
falter or when some complications over their billing statements arise.
Their businesses and affairs are eventually hindered; causing a lot of
frustrations and unavoidable complaints. Of course, doesn’t everything have its
price; even technological advancements? So there are misunderstandings and
flaws when taking advantage of this new asset of the present world. People tend
to become hostile in their own ways: putting up a sarcastic or emotional
conversation with their providers over the phone; or even claiming to
figuratively practice cannibalism with the intent of “having the network
employees for breakfast”.
But what if some divine being; perhaps an ‘angel-of-death’, made itself
manifest and, with a wave of a hand; flung the entire world back into the days
when the internet was something not even imagined?
Oh what a drastic manipulation that would be upon the people of this new
age! Imagine the children of today, rushing into school libraries and shoving
each other for the first place at the card catalogue; only to find the intended
book missing. Finding an alternative would not be an easy task as it is when
one can just sit behind a computer and rely on the services of Google and
Wikipedia.
The people who want to get personal, as well as professional, mail to
those distant from them would have to rely on the tardy and, often, delayed
services of the post office. Birthday greetings and other such important
messages which could be sent via Google and/or Yahoo would go at a snail’s pace
before delivery and receipt can be realized. Without the flaws of the internet
services to complain about; people would air their disappointment to the
anachronistic ways of the postal service.
Maniacal personalities would surely be safe from having their personally
intimate lives broadcast for the entire world to see. Yet other forms of
entertainment; especially such as those which merit the intense enthusiasm of a
vast number of population, can only be witnessed with repetitive and lengthy
commercials of paints, cement, and mosquito coils as in the 1980’s; when
Marvelous Marvin Hagler’s fights took until dusk to watch in its completion.
Without the reputed “pay-per-view” streaming provided by telecom
networks; citizens of third-world and slow-developing nations would start to
discuss a sporting event which, most likely, had already become yesterday’s
news at other more technologically advanced countries.
Besides these major setbacks; there would be a myriad more of
unfavorable situations people would have to put up with;
if the internet; with all its faults and shortcomings, vanished from man’s
present-day life. Hence, as with the slow methods of progress from decades ago;
let us just air our complaints; withstand arguments over billing statements and
charges; and give internet providers a piece of our mind whenever their
services fail to meet expected standards. After all, as with the light bulb of
Thomas Edison; some flaws and imperfections must have to be discovered in order
for improvements to be set in motion. And advancements, in the modern world,
can only move forward in order to become beneficial to mankind.
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