I think people miss the daily mail. I never get anything in the mail that is not a bill. I miss people having to get out pen and paper, locate a stamp and mail the letter. Just musing.
What I miss about the days before internet
- Thread starter arista
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I'm reviving that in my Writing Personal Notes thread.
I really miss rummaging through old vinyl records in charity/thrift shops, and the thrill of finding something by a favourite artist that you hadn't got.
Google makes it easy but not half as much fun.
Google makes it easy but not half as much fun.
Can I group the lost art of actually TALKING to people on the telephone in your thread, arista? Emails and texts have grounded the need for a human voice every once in a while.......
All of it. There used to be so much more time and personal contact - letters, phone calls, you could "be here now". I'm working on it. Trying to balance, set limits. But I like being here with y'all. And I love having whatever music I want to hear whenever I want to hear it.
I miss the long arguments about trivial bits that are now easily squelched.
That one, I don't. I'll write an essay, "Confessions of a Squelcher."
I like the access to information. Sure, there was something maybe comforting and relaxed about getting up to go to the bookshelves to pull out a Merriam-Webster's or a Stedman's/Dorland's or a Black's or riffling through phone books and calling people. But it was also a big time-chewer, and I don't miss the teeth marks on my clock.
It's a tradeoff. I sure like having ready access to things, but then it also means that it increases my responsibility to use that access, plus it also means that people have constant access to me. And sometimes I don't want all that access. I want to relax.
I love the internet, and have made great friends by means of it. Information is easier to access, entertainment is, too. The main downfall I see was mentioned by OoO, though: people talking to one another. It's sad to watch a group of people in a restaurant, all glued to their little screens. Even at family gatherings, most everyone spends most of their time at one screen or another--I was very frustrated at a Thanksgiving dinner where we had a full table, but only the 7 yr old had much to say (probably because I banned the DS at the table).
Oh, yeah. Dinner is a no-phone zone for us. Always has been and still is, even when they come back. Which they sometimes do.
It is for my immediate family, too. I had no idea I'd have to school adults (including my mother) in good table manners.
As much as I like the internet I know what you mean. Chatting on the phone. Getting letters. Finding a bit of music or a book you've been lookin for. But I'm not prepared to give up my internet fun. Anyone else?
I miss certain things that were and weren't around in those particular days. I preferred the political climate in the country of those days to nowadays by far. Also, there was a certain lifestyle I was living which included working much more with my hands. I miss the work to this day; though it was physical and strenuous, and it's doubtful how well I'd hold up with the same kind of job now. But the work was more psychologically therapeutic for me than what I'm currently doing; far less stressful.
I've always been a procrastinator and time waster, but back then I think I wasted much less than I do now. I would feel more guilty due to there being less to distract me emotionally. Of course, part of that difference may lie in the fact that a person grows more mellow with age, while having less energy. It seems to make more sense now not to get busy doing things.
I've always been a procrastinator and time waster, but back then I think I wasted much less than I do now. I would feel more guilty due to there being less to distract me emotionally. Of course, part of that difference may lie in the fact that a person grows more mellow with age, while having less energy. It seems to make more sense now not to get busy doing things.
Interesting post. I was saddened when on holiday abroad last year to see so many families allowing their kids to bring their ipods/pads to the table. Parents ate in silence whilst the children watched films with their dinner. It stuns me sometimes when I look around and everyone has their heads down. It all has a place but I grew up in a generation of being told off for reading at the table. Now we let kids play games and watch tv at the table.
I don't have any kids nor live with anyone who does, so I'm not among those who've lived and learned about that. I'm liberal enough to not assume the worst is bound to happen. I can't tell what's good and bad sometimes, nor what to do, if anything, about certain changes. I'm watching and learning, though.
As a teacher, I miss writing grades on report cards (sometimes), because I really paid attention as to whether the student's grades were improving or not. I'd get a happy little feeling if a student who had been working hard got that B instead of a C, etc. Now all my grading is web-based, report cards are printed on a piece of paper and I don't get the small thrill of holding that stiff report card in my hand, and writing an encouraging note to the kid.
I guess I wouldn't go back--it was SO time-consuming, that's for sure...especially all that averaging of grades and worrying if I made a mistake or not.
I also kind of miss giving the kids the opportunity to "take a note" to another teacher down the hallway. Now, with email, we have constant conversations, and the students don't get that "responsible" feeling of taking a note.
I guess I wouldn't go back--it was SO time-consuming, that's for sure...especially all that averaging of grades and worrying if I made a mistake or not.
I also kind of miss giving the kids the opportunity to "take a note" to another teacher down the hallway. Now, with email, we have constant conversations, and the students don't get that "responsible" feeling of taking a note.
I miss talking to friends on the phone, now we use only Internet. This is sad... And I pity children who know how to use computer since almost the first days of their birth, they miss so much - writing something by hand, some stories, poems or even a private diary - making it all with computers is not the same. And more and more games are online now, children do not play games outside, they prefer computers...
I miss Kris coming over to the house, kick at the concrete stoop, hands in his back pockets as he looks up at the kitchen window and hollers, "Walllllll-eeeee!" Pause. Again: "Walll-eeee!" Now, sheesh, you get the cha-ching! and small hands reach for a mobile device. First everyone started locking their doors...none of this walk right in like happens in other areas of the global market. But then I can email estimates and that saves on gas money although I'll also drop an estimate in the mail if someone is not connected. The NSA gets it before the customer gets it, adds an addendum, I long for you tragically. Irving Washington.
Hustler, Playboy, Penthouse?