Could You Disconnect From The Online World?

The premise of two of Keanu Reeves' movies, Johnny Mnemonic and the remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still, is that technology is ruining the lives of humans.
Sometime in the not too distant future, I believe that will be the case.
We are subjecting ourselves to millions of daily bombardments of every frequency humans have ever invented.
What are these attacks doing to our vital organs, not to mention our brains?
Will we all have to wear hats made from aluminum foil, provided they do not give us Alzheimer's first.
I know I have mentioned this in previous posts but one AP writer took a vacation in upstate New York to remove herself from the connected world.

"The knowledge that I'd be cut off from Internet and cellphone service in just a few hours started to relax me long before I reached the secluded, serene site of a two-day yoga retreat in upstate New York.

For 43 magical hours, chirping birds replaced car horns and sirens. Two-hour yoga classes, hammock-lounging and hot-tubbing replaced sitting at my desk in Manhattan.

The best part: Absolutely nothing replaced my iPhone. It sat powered off at the bottom of my backpack all weekend save for a brief stint as an alarm clock to wake me from a nap."

I know most of us see dislocation from such daily uses as barbaric or a step back in evolution, but, what if it is evolution?

How do you feel about this concept?

You can read her whole story on AP.org

I recently enjoyed a whole week without computers and it was great although I did experience withdrawal symptoms for a few days

I wouldn't mind being without internet and phone for a while. As long as I can be with my hubby and a nice bottle of wine it would be fine. I just know that our conversation would lead to one of us wanting look something up online though. 

I could live without my husband but not my computer 

Given her surroundings...sure, why not be without phone or internet! Not everyone can afford to go to a private retreat to "disconnect". Could this lady spend that much time away from her electronics if she wasn't in such an ideal setting? I know I could be away from the computer as long as I had something (or someone lol) else better to do, but lock me in my house and say no tv/internet/phone I would go insane!!!

I personly could never be without the internet and particularly my phone connected to the internet I would be lost , I could and have survived without my laptop but cant be without my phone for more than the period that I am sleeping 

I'm sure I could survive, after all I've lived almost half of my life without internet. But I'd surely miss the online world ;)

It would be strange to disconnect from the online world completely. For example I do not have a TV set - everything I like I can watch online, TV shows, movies, and sports. I read news online only. And I've stayed in touch with my family and friends thanks to the Internet. 

But sure, a few days away is what we all need. 

I could disconnect from the online world if I have to but luckily I don't have to make that choice right now,this is too much fun XOXO

I could disconnect for a limited time because many many things in my life depends on the internet. My job is bassed on internet.

Definitely chirping birds beat phones anyday !!

wnanhee wrote:

I could live without my husband but not my computer 

I could live without a wife but not my computer. Before the internet, I spent more time at my library than most.

I think that we all could live without the internet etc but why should we? I could disconnect but chose not to :)

some time without internet and technology is always useful. go outside, spent some time in the nature :) 

I could disconnect from the internet if I make myself a huge archive one day with all the things that I think I would need one day so I could live alone one day, far away form everyone and far away from the internet.

Actually my computer was for a repair. I was week without a computer, first few days was bad, than i get used it and started to like it ;)

I'm connected mainly because of my work as I'm computer programmer but usually I'm offline at weekend, even with no phone.

OMG no way......I'm not married but I am disabled and my computer and tv are my life.my windows to the world.....I am addicted to both lol..........but in the summer we go camping as a family and I do enjoy no tve or computer in that 2 weeks...it is a break from technology and enjoying nature!!!

Have done that more than needed :D:D First, i'm often visit my grandmother, and so theres no internet and the TV channels, actually i don't watch TV at all, are afwul but the scenery is awesome, i spend rather the time there oustside not sit into the room.. At home it's different, i have to work trough the web :/ As of mobile phones, it get's turned off by me more than needed i think, regulary. For example, if i go to a volleyball tournament, it usualy lasts the whole day, i leave the phone home despite many hours of free time... So all in all i can live without technology, i'm not so dependent on it, but looking at people around that's a different story :D Heads down into the small screen all the time.. My friends and I ussualy laugh at the pub, when there are 4-5 people sitting at a table and everyone is on their phone :D

That is a tough question for me to answer. Part of me says "Yes" I would love to go without it but the only way I could survive is if those around me did the same. On some levels, we have lost touch in relationships and interacting especially because of our mobile phones.

It amazes me when I look around in public places, restaurants etc and 90% of the people are plugged into their phone while they are on a date or with a group of friends, but I admit I'm just at guilty at times.

We have become such a world that we don't only rely on the internet, it is a necessity. While it is one of the greatest inventions in the world at the same time it has it 's negative connotations. It eliminates going to the post office, library, shopping in stores, sitting in a college classroom, buying a newspaper, land-based casinos etc cuz we have the online convenience. Sounds great but it puts people out of work, businesses shut down resulting in less and less manpower. 

Bottom line - The other part of me says no way, it would be TORTURE! 

Lipstick made some really good points there...

The benefits of the fast internet and the whole online world are many, but so are the downsides...I hate when I catch myself reaching for my phone to check social media while I am out with someone, so I do my best to keep myself in check. Sometimes, during short trips, I would have no internet connection, but I still had good time if I was in a good company and / or had something interesting to do.

So my answer would be...yes, I could disconnect for a whole, provided that I have some good books, interesting activities and / or people to hang out with :D

No way, I'm so used to this way of life it's not something I'd gladly give up. 

Personally, I don't see a problem with that. That's just how we live today, it's mostly older generations that complain how internet and mobile phones are ruining our lives, which I do not agree with and could go on and on explaining why they are wrong. 

My grandfather thinks the internet is ''a group of some really smart people who know everything and answer all our questions 24/7 from some undefined place''. Whenever he wants to know something he says to me: ''Go ask those experts of yours''  I mean come on, he's not even that old.

Being online is wrong, but spending all day long glued to a TV screen is ok? Yeah right

Thanks, Speedy - I am with you I try to restrain myself from reaching for my phone. It can be tough to do even in good company!  

I think I could for a while.   I  personally hate feeling like a slave to my phone.   I would miss my computer more than any other device.   I wouldn't be able to communicate with all my friends on LCB !!

This would be very difficult! Part of me hates technology because of what it's done to our society and the way we communicate. Thankfully my childhood was still in the generation of mostly no internet or cell phones so I can still appreciate that era. But nowadays it's become so routine to be tuned into some sort of technology, and we're basically reliant upon it. At this point, there's little jobs left that don't require the use of the internet (if any). Unfortunately, I'm with Lips.. I don't think I could successfully give it up without the people around me doing so as well

i do remember before i started in the computer and cell phones and such , i would say i wouldnt have one. but as soon as i got my first experiance with a computer for talking to friends and family i  havnt seen in years, and playing online games it would be hard to do it , but i think i could for a while.

Definitely, I could live without internet, laptop and cell phone. Those are great invention that should improve our lives, but like many times before, they are misused...

Now i can`t imagine myself without a computer, phone and Internet. But sometimes I really want to throw it all out the window and go fishing 

It´s a realy dependency and should be a mothive of global reflection. How they change ours lifes, and what is important in life and do we spend the time

Scientists have proven that living without all electronic things will improve your life. Things such as a microwave and all other magnetic, wireless are bad for our bodies. Everybody could live without them but it will not be an easy task to do for some. I could live outside the online world and I think it would be an adventure, going back in time.

I can not imagine life without electric appliances, without the Internet it will be very difficult to live in our time. But I understand that you should use all this sensibly, but without a phone you will not live. It is proved that the online brings up addiction.

You could but do not do that ! Life outside is very fun probably more or the same fun as online ! You should have a balance of everything everyone needs some social activity !

Yes I could. And I´ve been doing that periodically. Recommended for everybody! Try your limits