GUEST BELI-BLOGGER FORD CHURCH: LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET…

After wasting a total of twelve hours of my life dealing with Qwest Communications and being without the Internet all weekend, I tried to go into the deep recesses of my mind to picture what life was like before the Internet. It was such a scary thought that it made me cringe, huddle in a corner with my blanket, and shiver incessantly. I mean seriously folks, I know there was a time in our lives when we managed without the Internet, but how did we do it? How did we communicate with each other, conduct business, entertain ourselves, get our news?

I have been so crippled without the Internet this past weekend that I couldn’t submit a new course proposal to Western State College. I couldn’t update the Community Adventure Program Blog. I couldn’t keep up with my friends via email, read what was happening in the world on the New York Times website, or check the Boulder Weekly Calendar to see what was shakin’ in Boulder this weekend. Life as I knew it ceased to exist without this crazy technological tool called the Internet. Ok, I know it sounds pathetic and that I had alternatives for communicating with my friends, getting my news, submitting my proposal, etc. However, being without the Internet this weekend showed me just how dependent on technology I really am, and to be quite honest it freaked me out!

I know how you feel, Ford. And I was one of the early users of the net, coming of age in college in the late 80's and early 90's. I feel the same way when I go to my folks' country house for the weekend. No DSL or wireless connection. I feel so helpless!

I only really got into the internet in the late 90's (and I mean really late--1999), but there are many times when I'm chagrined to find that I've become extremely dependent on it. If I can't get to my e-mail, I immediately go into withdrawal.

Ford, I feel ya, bro. My computer is the first or second item to receive electricity when I get home, dependent on ambient light. I check up on blogs, news, weather, local events, and email on a much too regular basis. I'm already stressing about how much time I will be without Internet access during my pending move at the end of April.

Sounds like some dark days ... be strong! :)

As an addendum to the conversation, I just wanted to comment on how much the Internet really has expedited our communication. Last night, I started looking for apartments/rooms to sublet for a few weeks during May while my condo is being finished. I hopped on CraigsList and in 3 minutes found some suitable alternatives, if not perfect options. I emailed the people who posted the ads. Within 15 minutes, I received a response. I replied with more details and everything was put in place during a 30 min time span.

Now, I understand that I was fortunate to have the other person online at the same time, but it amazes me still that a deal was done so quickly. I have been using the Internet since 1994, and I don't think that I've been quite as amazed as I was last night. In my college days, I likely would have tooled around town on my bike, going into cafes looking for Roommate Wanted ads. Or, I would have scoured the newspaper classifieds, spending hours calling people and getting answering machines or 3 year-olds that promised to take a message, but likely ate the paper. In this case, it was all so simple. Absolutely amazing.

I'm in an airport right now (1:30pm or so on Tuesday afternoon), and there's a free Internet set-up at this place called the "CNBC News Shop." The first thing I thought of upon seeing this booth was to check my e-mail (which is the point of the booth, of course)... but beyond that, I walked into the airport hoping that there'd be something like this CNBC service for me to use. It's not an 'expectation', per se, but I can see where sometime in the very near future, things will change to the point where we'll be disappointed if services such as these aren't more readily available.

Mikal - I know how you feel. I expect these things - same thing with digital cable. I can't stand not being able to see what's on next, what the movie or show is about and set reminders for programs later. It's really about control and productivity. When do we want it?? NOW!!!