Can you live without the internet?

[donq]

Recently, I think a lot about this question: can I live without the internet and computer?
Today I looked at my photo (my new avatar) and thought “wow! That was 50 years ago. I’m so old now and maybe already became a dinosaur!”
I started my career with using pen and typewriter. I used the first computer when I worked for some local newspaper around 25 years ago. It was an old dos system computer with two big floppy disks: one for booting the system and another was a very simple word processing. I was so impressed by it as I didn’t need “Liquid Paper” to correct my typewriter’s typo any more. Years later, I used Macintosh Classic (black & white) and another upgraded PC.
I used to think that I could live with some of my favorite books without this kind of technology. When I read a book, I also loved its touch, looks and smell, too. I had a hard time adapting myself to read from a computer’s screen. It was very different from reading from a book. I always had to print it first, to feel more comfortable to read it. (Now, after many years, I just feel ok with that.)
After I have known about the internet, well, I’m not so sure any more that I can live without computer (and internet). But I’m not a fan of social media, rarely go to my facebook. And though today the internet are flooded with entertaining (and “not for a kid”) stuffs and news but there also are some very good stuffs out there. (Yes, including our good forum here, too. :-) I have been impressed by the free “sharing” on cyber society. Someone read/watch/listen some good stuffs and share it with another.
To make the long short, let me focus only on book. Internet archive has millions of books that we can read and download for free. LibriVox has tons of audiobooks, again, for free. Even youtube,not only videos but there also are so many books/audiobooks uploaded there. There are some sites like internet archive, if you how know to find it, you will have your personal libraries! And not to mention some books with illegal sharing like torrent or other files sharing sites.
My point is that in the last 5-10 years, I almost didn’t need to buy any book I wanted to read, as I always found/downloaded them from the internet. Then, how can I live without it, without accessing to any book? (not to mention about saving a lot of my money lol.)
So, no, I don’t think I can live without the internet. At least, not for now.
And how’s about you?

[sparklekaz]

Hi Monty,

You raise a very good question. I like you (as we are of a similar age) remember getting my first pc. I remember the excitement of it. My initial reason for getting it was because I wanted the word processor programme to write a book. I was convinced that it would make life easier for me and that it would allow those words to just flow from my fingers. What I actually found was, that I couldn't write anything without writing it down first on paper. lol It would seem that for me, for the creative process to begin, I really do need the manual process of writing my thoughts down. Maybe it's a bit like for some people being artistic has to be done with a paint and brush, rather than using a art software programme on the pc. I still haven't written that book.

I find that I can read a 'book' for hours without tiring. But after reading a couple of pages off the computor screen, my eyes quickly tire. And I don't think I absorb the information as well. Many of my friends now have kindles, and I agree it is amazing how many free books there are out there to download. And I have been tempted to get one, particularly for when I go on holiday. Weight wise I can carry as many books as I want this way. But I just haven't been able to make that step. For me a big part of the pleasure of reading is the feel and smell of a new book, waiting for me to plunge into. I also like to keep them. To have them around me on shelves, to admire and go back to. A book that is contained on a machine just does not have the same attraction.

I have found the internet to be a mixed blessing. A pleasure and at times a curse. I would never have made so many good friends from around the world without it. You and I would not be sharing like this without the internet. With you in Thailand and me here in England. It has enabled me to learn so much about the customs and beliefs of others in far flung places. It highlights that we are a human family, regardless of where we come from. We all have the same fears and hopes for the future. We all ask the same questions of life and spirit. We all feel sadness, pain, isolation and loneliness. We share in these moments and rejoice with each when we each find happiness or answers to what we are seeking. For an isolated person, the internet is a much needed window to the world. But the down side is that it can become addictive, and some will neglect their friends and loved ones in their outer world, for the relationships they form in the inner (cyberspace). I do a lot of my work on the internet. But if I didn't, I would try to be more self disciplined about how much I used it.

The internet is an incredible source of information, and I think it has increased our ability to acquire knowledge in ways unheard of in the past. The social media aspect of it, I only use to keep in contact with my children, family and friends who live far away from me. Which is to be honest pretty much everyone at the moment. So I am very grateful for that. I do think that the internet has been abused. But that can be said of anything in life that is open to all. There have been many incidences of cyber bullying, entrapment of innocants for sinister purposes. People very much have to police themselves. Be discerning. Use the computor to enhance your life, but not to dominate or control it. As with all things. It is not the tool itself that is good or bad, but the way in which it is used. Therefore people have to take responsibility for it themselves. And cannot in all fairness I think blame the internet for it having a detrimental affect on their life. If that happens you either stop using it or be extremely selective and proceed with care.

Love and light
Kaz

[gruntal]

I had a library card many years ago and used it. Sometimes I was unemployed and bored and the free library card was usefull. Later I discovered yard sales and I just bought a lot of books for myself; I even discovered "trash picking" and got much for free and fretted on how to dispose of it. My brother gave me some computers and I again went to garage sales and bought a 1200 bps modem (for $1.00) and went on a local computer bulletin board ( BBS ). That segued to the IRC forums and eventually the InterNet. Surfing the InterNet I noticed a woman giving classes locally in the privacy of her own home. The subject matter was metaphysics so I signed up for the "group therapy" sessions. Oddly she makes her living with a computer repair business although what is discussed at the classes in so private even the cell phones are asked to be turned off.

In some ways this only perpetuates the enigma. I am glimpsing communications sans electronics or paper and yet the InterNet is vital to get it all started. Much like the way I use Amateur Radio on UHF frequencies but use the InterNet or cell phones to find out which frequencies to set my radios to. I remember when I was a Frater in the A.M.O.R.C. in San Jose, California U.S.A. but the monograths on the occult all arrived via the United States Postal System.

As you know I love allegories and hidden meanings! If our verbal and vocal abilities atropy in the age of electronics think how much our "spiritual" abilites also get neglected when we have so many nice machines to help us out. It has been pointed out rather eloquently much revelation was given to simple shepherds. Enlightenment with the sheep! Baaa Baaaa! How crude!

And yet if you think about it that is where it all started. Now it is so easy you dont need to try. That might have hidden meanings too ....

[gruntal]

redundant

[aceofcups]

HI Monty,
i see the computer as a useful tool ( same as my car or my toaster oven)... just one of many other “things” I do things with. In computer use I've gone from using BBS boards back in early 1970’s on my commodore 64, to chatting on IRC in a few spiritual rooms., then on to using a desktop computer for creative purposes, and for learning -- and for chatting on spiritual websites like this one. ( I've personally never had any interest in using my computer to play games.)

Not a computer tech at all, know basics of programs i use, not programming., I don't like social media (ie facebook etc) Being a creative person and deeply into spirituality as my main focus , computers have been valuable tools for me and my creativity in many different types of creative endeavors over the years. ... with physical Art work ( painting, drawing sculptures etc) I have used computers to make them into cards, bookmarks, computer art, photographic and photocollages, - for writing I like to write poetry and prose using the computer and then make them into self-published poetry books etc.,, I find I can get into a very meditative space while using computers, and align to my higher more then writing long-hand and love ability to easily erase etc. Also have used computers to make a few, meditative and educational youtubes, etc.

Have used computers in work setting,, for being office manager, for running spiritual bookshop, for doing accounting etc. and lots of graphic design of different sorts. Doing some web-site design also.

A year or so ago I got a tablet and finding ways to use it for listening to lectures etc,, reading I’ve done some with tablet.. Its been Ok,,, but still like printed paper books at times. But having a computer and the ability to search is like having a library at your fingetips.. That part has been amazing.

Times of my life I have taken computer vacations also... Not using them for periods of time and/or not doing e-mails, etc.. Of course I have survived,,,

I wonder what type of computer like apparatuses they have on inner levels after we leave our physical body..


Peace
aceofcups

[donq]

I was going to say “wow! It’s very old thread! More than 200 years of age!”

But thank to alena, this thread turns to be so younger.
Thanks everyone (especially alena), for all of your warm replies.

P.S. I’m going to start a new thread concerning this one, more or less.