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Have you ever wondered ....
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Have you ever wondered .... |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap 
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... what your life would be like without the Internet? Many of you here know my story ... for those who don't, suffice to say that my life would be RADICALLY different if the Internet did not exist. Even with all the obvious things aside, there is rarely a day that goes by that I do not surf the web for information, check the email, browse some message board or another, or shop online. The Internet is to me what television was to my parents - something that, until you had it, you didn't know you couldn't live without! What about you? Has the Internet changed your life, or barely affected it at all on a personal level? |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Starting with the basics - my job has changed "radically" because of the Internet. I am trying very hard [which is not easy this early in the morning without my first cuppa] to think of any aspect of life as we know it that has not been altered by the use, manufacture, manipulation, configurations, of this system of "media", which is only one of many words that can be applied to the Internet. I'm sure others will come along and be more direct in answering your question...but the upshot is - yes. We all know that the Internet can be used for purposes most of us would rather not see - but when one realizes the good of the Internet, and the positive ways it can affect our lives...well... Shoot, gal...now you've got me more than wondering...  |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Let me see... I've met some absolutely wonderful people from all over the globe... "in person" too...  I don't need to go to the library much any more. Nearly everything I want to research is available to me through the internet. I can take a few minutes to talk to some special friends whenever we both have the inkling. If I'm bored (yeah right), I can play a game against an ominous mechanized or human opponent... I can shop without leaving home... Did I mention that I found my ever dearest friend because of the internet? I guess it's changed my life a bit...yep...  |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I believe anyone who has spent much time exploring and utilizing the Internet, life will have been effected and changed immensely. An unending source of information and interaction at our fingertips ... Literally. And of course its like any other aspect in our life--its all about balance. Many have struggled with that on here, myself included. I have seen people devastate their lives, both personally and financially on here...Too much time in the cyber world, and our reality will suffer...the trick is making both work and not defeat one another....making it all our own reality. Where else could you talk to so many people in another state or the other side of the world on such a consistent and personal level for such a small cost. For me it has opened doors I never imagined. As a wanna be poet, it led me to return to writing after nearly 20 years of muse silence. And even more profoundly, its allowed me to realize a life long dream ... finally seeing the ocean at 44... yes, the wait was worth it.  I have been so fortunate to have made some extraordinary connections with some exceptional people. I have learned what unconditional love really means. And there's another side to all this...I know several homebound people, who due to health issues are severely isolated and restricted, but the Internet has given them a way to leave that lonely behind without ever leaving their chairs. What the net has added to their lives is profound. When used for the right reasons, so much can be gained.Oh and Linda? I love your "story" ... its a "happy ever after" for someone who didn't believe they'd ever know it...and that made many of us very happy. And best of all-- its all because of poetry. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I've been thinking about this since you posted it early this morning and it's a difficult proposition to surmise how life would be "if..." I believe Jan got it right. With every quality determining the "good" or "bad" of life's description, extremes come into play. Let's assume for a moment, that Ron Carnell was right a long time ago when he said he didn't foresee the internet as being as interactive as it so obviously has become (I do remember some things for whatever odd reasoning, and Ron Carnell saying he was wrong about something just sorta stuck in my head...  )It still would have been a technological marvel for business and the arts. Yet it was the fact that there are "people in there" kept me as fascinated as I have become. Otherwise it would have been another simple game of distraction with the added benefit of being actually useful. For people who are lonely, people who are housebound by illness, the communication is not only a miracle--but a lifesaving joy. But it also can become a preference and can complicate mental problems such as agoraphobia, and yep, paranoia. The anonymity of the net also promotes people who feel powerless in their "realtime" lives to employ it as a vehicle of unhealthy expression at times, with no apparent repercussions. And yes, I can recognize all of that because I have seen it in myself. (I can only hope that I grew from the experience.) The internet is my playground now. I've met many people through my online adventures, and had I not, I suppose I would have found amusement elsewhere. (And tsk...I have a record of unhealthy choices.) But I like to think that it's been a positive in my life--before the internet, I felt like a total alien in my social circle and yes, even my family. There were few that I could discuss poetry, books, philosophy, and all of the other things that I obviously enjoy through the hospitality of this forum--which conveniently places all of those in one place for me. What would I have done without? Sadly, I would have done just that--without. I think of Emily Dickinson sometimes. She wrote her poetry anyway--tying it in ribbons and hiding it under her bed all of her life. She had unusual talent and tenacity. I wonder how many other "Emily's" gave up because they had no one to share their passion. The "people in here" remind me that there are people "out there"--and that just as there is more to me than meets the judging eye--there may be more to them too. Sometimes I feel like I warp through space--I go out on my realtime adventures and yes, sometimes I think--"I can't wait to share this with my friends online"--and yes, I share all of your stories with my realtime family and friends--it is a balancing act. To sum it up, I guess it's made my world a lot less lonely, and I like to think that I have more understanding for others because of the sharing. I travel on this thing. And Linda & Mike? Congratulations.  |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
For sure I should be off my butt more often. But I can't resist Passions |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
For someone who's not supposed to BE ON HER BEHIND...Serenity came up with some awesome reasonings... which I ditto heartily. In fact, so heartily...that I shall share a secret with you all...very soon. Stay tuned. |
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Michelle_loves_Mike
since 2003-12-20
Posts 1189Pennsylvania |
I wouldn't have met mt Mikey,,,,, Michelle To be held, is all I ask...... |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
I wouldn't wonder what my life would be like without it? |
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Dopey Dope
Moderator
Member Patricius
since 2000-08-30
Posts 11132San Juan, Puerto Rico |
ive been online since i was 14! 8th grade! wow and im a senior in university now. if i didnt have the net, I wouldnt have met a lot of people. Plus its a handy dandy form of communicating with loved one's from afar. I wouldnt be the same without the net I left my wallet in El Segundo... |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Da internet been very very good to me |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Easy for YOU to say, Michael... Smirking here...  |
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