thirty-somethings only -- do you ever wish we could go back to a non-internet world?

Question

i'm sure teenagers would be unable to comprehend the thought, but for those of us that were teens in the 80s, we can remember that life existed without computers in every home.

i guess i'm a nostalgic type of person, but outside of ebay and homestar runner, i would not miss a world without internet connections. people get mad when i say i haven't read their email because i only check it once a week or so.

sometimes i just wish we could go back to a simpler time.

Answer 1

Hell, I still wish cars were sharing the road with horses, and cars were considered the nuisance. I was a teenager in the late seventies/early eighties and I wish we could go back to no microwaves, no cable, no cell phones or pagers, and no hundreds of T.V. stations and not a damn thing worth watching!

TIME BANDITS came out in the 80's, if you haven't seen it, do so. If you have, you'll probably remember the Evil One's monologue on mastering technology as a way to take over the world. The dialogue itself is hilarious, particularly if you feel as I do. All of these advances have fundamentally changed the way we relate to one another, ourselves, and the very earth that nurtures us. We are animals, after all, and that's nothing to be ashamed of! What is shameful is how out of touch we have become with our own instincts, our own humanity. So many people on line have questions and misconceptions about Wicca. Could the current popularity of this religion have anything to do with getting back some of the things we have lost to "progress?"
I think so. And that means there's a glimmer of hope out there.

There most certainly are benefits to industrialism and technolgy but if anyone thinks they outweigh the cost, than they are kidding themselves! They are distractions, people and they are luring us away from what is really important. Sure they are tools but what other tool have you known people to become addicted like they do with the computer. What other tool interrupts dinners out, movies, and live conversations like the cell phone or pager?

How many of you have ever been out swing dancing to a live band with a partner who actually knew how to lead or follow? Do you remember the moment when everything clicked and you had acheived harmony with your partner and momentum and suddenly the sum really was greater than the whole of it's parts? This kind of magic happens between horse and rider as well; musician and instrument, or fellow musician, etc. Divinity can be found in so many ways besides prayers and sex , people, but you need to have the the time and the venues, most of which don't even exist anymore.

So in your 1940's style night out, so many of your needs are met. Your need for exercise, food, drink, talking, laughter, fresh air, music, touch, and maybe even magic. This vibe must have died out some time in the sixties. Before my time but I've pieced together the remanants. I'm not a talented quilter and can't keep warm with remnants. How 'bout you?


So to everyone who's going to say things are better now than ever before, answer me this: Why are our kids being raised by Nannies, daycare providers and T.V.? Why is one income no longer sufficient to qualify for a mortgage, for the average worker for a starter home? When was the last time you sat down with your family to a dinner cooked in a conventional oven that someone actually "slaved over?" Why don't we go to barbecues at the neighbors house any more, with the women competing over who made the best Jello mold? And don't even start in with polital correctness. Walking on egg-shells is a good thing? Why does the state think that every damn thing we do is their business and need constantly to regulate us and give us bureaucratic busy work? Why do so many people buy in and narc out those who don't. Why has the pace of life spun out of control? Why does everyone have such a sense of entitlement, loads of material possessions and more misery? Do you really think you can have it all? And why do Americans always think bigger equals better? Why is our time wasted dealing with telemarketers but when we want a live person on the phone all we can get is an automated system? Why are we spending our lives like this? This isn't living. We're dead on our feet and we need to wake the hell up before it's too late.

Go to the used book store. Seach for the out-of-print Sci-fi book MOCKINGBIRD, by Walter Tevis. It's worth the search people but will there be any outing to the bookstore? No there won't. We'd rather sit on our under-used and possibly broadening backsides and order it from e-Bay or Amazon.

If anyone knows what can be done about any of this, contact me. Let me know where I sign up.

Answer 2

Yes, I do miss it sometimes though I'm 30-sh. Anyway, I wouldn't be able to work from home and get to know so much important information as I do now. I think that the world was much more simpler, imaginative and full of joy before. But, from the other side, I cannot say that. When I talk to kids and tell them how we used to play outside and it was never boring and we never run out of ideas... they look at me and think probably the same what I thought when my mother was explaining to me that she had only rag dolls made by herself and she felt so happy!
May be we have to go back to a simpler life. I don't see much hope in what is going on around the world. The Earth is going mad and angry at us of not respecting Her and not respecting God.

Answer 3

I was a teenager in the 80's.We got along perfectly fine without all the technology and were alot healthier than the kids today.My son's cannot do without cell phones,their computer.It doesnt matter to me though because I don't really use the computer for anything important.When we got bored we went to the local teen hangout and shot pool or played arcade games.We didnt have Nintendo or Playstation.Yes,simpler times would be better but I guess we can't stay in the dark forever.-Peace

Answer 4

You are so right on!!!!Not only computers but cell phones are the worst I went to lunch with a group of friends and at one point two of them were on their cell phones as was the guy next to us with a bad connection so he just talked louder like that is going to clear the signal!!!Not only that I wish there was a video game that I knew how to play I can't tell between the graphics and the bad guys.It's so not the days of Pong and Pac Man!I never wanted to get into the computer thing but in this day and age you have to.Sad really

Answer 5

i'm 33...i've actually become quite dependent upon computers and dsl in recent yrs. but if we HAD to go back to a computer-less world, i'd do just fine since that's the environment i grew up in for a good 2/3 of my life. kids today wouldn't be able to survive tho...the 70's/80's would be too much of a shock for them. what? cartoons only on saturday mornings?? video games where ur guy is a square and only moves in 4 directions?? u mean this phone cord won't stretch into the other room and i have to sit here and talk in the kitchen?? sry to say, but kids are freakin spoiled now! makes me wonder what it's gonna be like in another 20, 30 yrs.

Answer 6

Yes I would! It seems since we have gotten the internet - actual dating has stopped, personality doesnt exist and people are generally lazier/fatter as a result of not having to move your a** to get something/find something! I personally wouldnt miss it alot! I actually might get some work done! LOL

Answer 7

i know what you mean i am 38 and can remember when we didn't even have a vcr in the house yeah sometimes i wish i could go back i see the computer as just a spy tool for people you don't want to know things about you at times

Answer 8

I agree with you 100%! I remember how nice it was that the biggest thing was music and tv and we always had things to do. Kids these days have become way too lazy and dependant and everyone is sooooooo dependant on computers everywhere you go! And what happened to file cabinets?? :) I miss it too.

Answer 9

I'm not 30 or anything, but I think the world would be a lot better without all this high-tech stuff. I love the simple life.

Answer 10

I would have to agree with you somewhat, we had to think for ourselves. Now we have computers to do everything and they mess up even more sometimes!! Computers are not personable and they sometimes even take away jobs. Very good thought and question. Take care of yourself and keep some nostalgia it doesn't hurt anyone.