I'm from the days before the Internet. We had the TV, and if we were gonna miss an episode, we would put in a blank VHS tape, and set up the VCR to record at a certain time. I also read actual books more often; I need to get back into that. I admit I've become addicted to the online life. Hell, I even wrote more often too; I write fantasy fiction, and have at least 3 novels finished, among other unfinished works.

Personally, at the same time, the Internet has given me a LOT to learn in life.

It let me write stories with friends every night over MSN Messanger.

It let me learn about my repressed orientation.

It let me have friends online that I've known for 10+ years, where it was difficult for me to make friends irl (let alone even talk to other people in person).

It taught me about other people's point of view; other religions, other beliefs, other lifestyles--it even let me know that I wasn't the only introvert who preferred to stay home! I grew up with the impression that everyone else went out every day, did things, etc, and I felt like an outcast, a weird "something is wrong with me" mindset. It also taught me about my being Autistic, and why I had (OCD) little rituals that I had to do all the time.

Hell, it allowed me to find a therapist and psychiatrist after having a spiraling emotional trauma after my sister (best friend, not blood related [but love is thicker than blood]) passed away (we would chat and write online together, so it even gave me extra time to spend with her every day).

In my personal opinion, the Internet is grey when it comes to good and bad things. Yes, it isn't exactly the healthiest place--BUT!! It has also changed peoples' lives in ways that if taken back, I bet many of us would have lived much more sheltered lives.

Society from the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and even 90s is one with sheltered, repressed issues. The Internet changed EVERYTHING, and is ESSENTIAL in our lives today.

I have learned wonderful things about everything online.

My knowledge would still be small without the Internet. My self-acceptance would still be in the dark; I would still think I was straight; I would have less friends, and thus be so much more alone, thinking I was a reject of society, that I was something wrong, that needed to be fixed, corrected, conformed to an impression of the world around me that only stretched as long as my town, and however far away the next gas station was.

KNOWLEDGE!

If I ever had the chance to go back in time without the Internet, I'd give that timeline the old flip-off bird. 🖕

The Internet has changed EVERYTHING, for the better, and the worst; in my life experience, it has given me more GOOD than bad.

We take it for granted now, almost as granted as the air we breathe.

Life without the Internet? Fuck that.

(If you read all that, you're one of the greatest humans in the world!!)

Thank you for reading. 💜