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Teching Out (Getting tired of technology)

2020.09.28

The Internet wasn’t always so popular as it is now. In the early years of the Internet, it was really a very exclusive platform for people to use. Even after it moved from research and academics into the public, it was still only for those curious enough to try. My older brother and I had connected to a local bulletin board system (BBS) using a dial-up modem that was annoying for the family because it used our one telephone line (we eventually got a second phone number for the computer). 


Those times were much more experimental and friendly than what I’ve seen in recent years. You knew that the other person you were talking to was a human being, and the owner of the BBS even hosted some get-togethers in the real world for people who used it. There weren’t people trying to attack and insult others because of tiny differences, but most often things were just talked about. Part of that is because the software wasn’t ready for the general public, but I also think it attracted a smaller group of people whom genuinely cared about what the Internet could be used for.


This slowly began to change as software improved. Chat rooms became a common feature with easier interfaces, and people who couldn’t handle the technical requirements earlier now had access. The Internet became more of a tool to connect people, but it also challenged what was comfortable for most people. That’s when I began hearing more about people who would eventually become what we know now as trolls. While this wasn’t new to me since I had already developed an understanding of the Internet, it began to turn me off a little bit to what the Internet was becoming.


During college, even though the university had cable Internet access (a revolution at the time), I was less attracted to it. Computers also became an expensive business, so the friendliness of building computers was complicated by convenience. After graduating, I worked in developing countries, and getting the newest, most expensive computers seemed silly. I continued to have technology as a part of my life, but I found the changes made to the Internet less interesting than how they were in the beginning.


Now, the Internet is tightly woven in the fabric of society, especially because of more recent events. In the past it was more of an optional, leisure time outlet for people, recently the Internet’s role as a tool seems to have been made more important. The idea of technology just for the sake of more technology seems less interesting when people just need it to work. In a way, things have returned a little bit to the way things were in the beginning because the Internet is taking a more fundamental role in society. It isn’t easy, but, to some extent, the life side of it makes the “tech” side of everything less obvious. Tech is being replaced by living.

 

Photo Credit: Burst@pexels.com

 

 

Blog Quiz


1. According to the blog what is a ‘troll’?


a) An ugly mythical creature who lives under a bridge

b) A person who intentionally upsets people on the internet by posting inflammatory messages

c) A small spade used for gardening

 

2. How did the author’s experiences in a third world country change his view of technology?


a) He realized there were more important things in life than having the latest technologies.

b) He decided to donate all his money to charity

c) He became more interested in travel than technology

 

3. According to the author why is technology becoming less obvious?


a) People can’t understand technology

b) People who build computers aren’t friendly

c) Technology is taking a more fundamental role in society

 

 

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

 




1. B

2. A

3. C

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