Life without the internet would definitely be much slower, and more expensive. It seems like what we are really talking about here is the absence of convenience that the internet has given and continues to give us. So, without any further delay I will show my interpretation of what the world would be like if this technology didn’t exist.
1. Education – Online distance learning would be impossible. Students would not have the option of going back to school without leaving their living rooms. That means, quite simply, that if you want to pass your courses you’ll have no choice but to show up for class in person. If you need information quickly a computer is the best tool to use. Sometimes it isn’t convenient to make a trip to the library.
2. Commerce – This would be hit hard, when you take into consideration how many online financial transactions take place not only in one country but around the world. Booking an airline ticket or a hotel room online would not be possible. Renting a car or taking care of your personal banking would be more time consuming. These would have to be done over the phone or in person. As for Amazon.com and eBay.com, you could kiss that goodbye. That means if you wanted any books, movies, games or toys, or just about anything else you can think of it would entail a trip to the store. What about those really unique and hard to find products on sites like eBay? Those wouldn’t be available short of visiting an antique store.
3. Relationships – The internet has connected people from different cities, countries and continents. It doesn’t matter where you are or who you are, getting to know somebody from a different culture is now much easier. Take me for example; I met my wife on the internet. We exchanged messages, photos and so on and now we are married. If it wasn’t for the internet we never would have known each other. Many interracial couples today would probably say their relationship developed from seeing each other’s photos on a computer. What would be the alternative to getting to know somebody in another country, writing letters back and forth for six months or a year? That’s a lot of trips to the post office. Let’s not forget Facebook, which can connect you to friends and any long lost relatives who might be living in another country.
4. Writers – Finally, there’s us. Without the internet writing and publishing online articles for Helium would be just a dream. Getting your work published in magazines or newspapers is not easy. Here on my computer, all it takes is a click of the mouse, and I can happily publish my work all day long. So can you.