The goal, stay off the internet for 24 hours! This includes more than just internet browsing; online video games, email, AIM chat, and whatever my heart normally desires from the web.
This was a very challenging task for me to accomplish. When I am at home, I am usually using the internet in some way all the time. If I'm not doing some constructive like using the internet for scholastic purposes, I am using the internet for entertainment purposes. Usually isn't the right word. More than likely? Still doesn't cut it. I am always using the internet when I am at my home. I'm either talking to some friends on aim, streaming videos from my computer to my television, playing Xbox live, mindlessly browsing through random websites, something.
The biggest factor in my favor in accomplishing this task is that I am working a lot right now. Since school got out, I have been working at least 10 hours a day. If I was not working or going to school, this goal would be impossible, literally. I would cheat, break laws, do anything to get my internet. I am like Stans Dad on the latest south park episode where they move to California to go to internet refugee camp because the internet has been shut down throughout the world. I need internet.
My 24 hours of no internet started at 5PM on Tuesday and ended 5 PM on Wednesday. I usually get home from work around 5, so for me it would really only be like having no internet for one evening, then when I return home the next day from work, it will be back!
So when I found myself getting home from work, usually the first thing I do is sit in my chair and check my email. Without the ability to do that, I then wanted to get on xbox live and blow up some people over the web. Couldn't do that. Without the ability to get on the internet, it really cut all my normal entertainment out of my life. It also cut out an important communication tool to my friends. When I want to talk to my friends, we usually don't pick up the phone and call each other. We will chat over AIM or talk over xbox live while playing some games.
Since getting on the internet was out of the question, I had to be very creative in finding something else to do. Actually, all I wanted to do was relax and watch a movie. So thats exactly what I did. After getting some dinner with a few friends, I came home, sat in my chair and watched a movie until I fell asleep. I replaced laziness with laziness. Like I said, there wasn't really that much time available for me to avoid the internet, however if this activity occured over the weekend, I really think I would have entered a serious state of depression.
In conclusion I found reassured myself that I am highly addicted to the internet. I use it in some way or form in most of my entertainment activities while I am at home. I really hope the South Park episode doesn't come true, otherwise I'm packing up my stuff and moving to internet refugee camp in Silicon Valley!
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2 comments:
It’s actually very shocking how much we have become dependent on the Internet in such a short amount of time. I couldn’t make dinner reservations, chat with friends, pay my bills, or even get the latest news without using the Internet. I felt that television news was too slow when compared to instant, customizable news feeds I get when using Google News. It’s interesting how even the Internet has changed the way we play video games such as your example of Xbox live. Single player gaming just isn’t as much fun as online, multiplayer mode. This assignment made us both realize how addicted we are to an online lifestyle. I freely admit that I am an Internet junkie and I don’t intend to stop anytime soon. - Jason James
I though you did an excellent job of explaining how important the internet is to your daily schedule. It was very obvious that you were telling the truth. I could almost feel the pain you endured. I also thought it was interesting how self aware you were in predicting how much more difficult this task would have been if it took place on a weekend.
When you stated you “replaced laziness with laziness” by watching a movie as your alternate activity, I thought this did an excellent job of summarizing our society. People are infatuated with their regular cycle and their activities. When an activity is taken away, most people try and fulfill that void the same way the original activity did. That way they can remain within their comfort zone. It takes more than 24 hours to adapt to a new comfort zone. Although I doubt your intention was to be lazy, it poses as a good example.
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