What's the Internet?

We've come a long way in 17 years. Here are Katie Couric and Bryant Gumbel on the Today Show in 1994...

Rob, that is so funny. I remember, the internet was JUST coming out as I graduated from college. I never had access to the internet while in college. I hadn't even heard of it yet. Also, cell phones never existed. My husband and I were just talking about this the other night. Back when we were in college, you'd go out with friends, and if you got split up, chances are, you wouldn't see them for the rest of the night. There was no way to call and say, "Hey, we're at such and such bar. Meet us over here." It was kind of nice to not have everyone on their cell phones and texting all night. Everyone could just hang out and actually TALK to each other, face to face.

Wow! How crazy is that?
I graduated from High School in 1995 so I am of the "Pre-Internet Generation"

Teresa wrote:

It was kind of nice to not have everyone on their cell phones and texting all night. Everyone could just hang out and actually TALK to each other, face to face.

Very true Teresa.
I think that in a global level it has brought us a lot close together but in a more personal level, it has torn us apart. Yes, we can chat with friends across the globe but at the same time, sometimes one can get caught up in so much searching and internet use that the time they used to devote to the family & close friends (the most important) has diminished. You have people living in the same home who RARELY have dinner together because each one is off doing their own thing. I remember back then you wouldn't hear so much of child obesity because kids would just be playing out on the streets as opposed to plonking themselves in front of their game counsel or computer to lose themselves in a virtual world.

I know when I was younger I was a lot more active, I knew all the kids in my neighborhood and played with them. When the internet rolled in though I became a slave to the internet world... it was intriguing and having a love for the computer, how could I resist?! lol But I am glad to have found a balance. I disconnected myself from certain things so I can have more time for myself and family and close friends. I love coming into the forum, going on the internet but I also love that I can turn off the electric gadgets and go out and enjoy some sun!

I love this...."the one that's becoming really big now." Wow.


And, I just remembered why I never liked Bryant Gumble.

lol so the net came out in 1994

Carol that is so true! Get people outside and enjoying nature!

Carol wrote:

sometimes one can get caught up in so much searching and internet use that the time they used to devote to the family & close friends (the most important) has diminished.

It's sad how true that is. Even on Facebook, I see post after post from friends complaining that they can't play on the computer because their kids are interrupting them. Last year, after seeing posts like that for week after week, I finally replied and tried to be gentle when I reminded them that the computers and games will *always* be here - but those precious children will only be kids once. There's only one opportunity to impact their lives and shape their souls, and that's far more important than any computer game. Those "interruptions" are precious moments in the making if we choose to make it so. Sometimes I'm astounded by the mixed-up priorities in the lives of people today. Not that I'm perfect by any means - but I know that kids are more important than playing on the computer.

Savannah wrote:

Carol wrote:

sometimes one can get caught up in so much searching and internet use that the time they used to devote to the family & close friends (the most important) has diminished.

It's sad how true that is. Even on Facebook, I see post after post from friends complaining that they can't play on the computer because their kids are interrupting them. Last year, after seeing posts like that for week after week, I finally replied and tried to be gentle when I reminded them that the computers and games will *always* be here - but those precious children will only be kids once. There's only one opportunity to impact their lives and shape their souls, and that's far more important than any computer game. Those "interruptions" are precious moments in the making if we choose to make it so. Sometimes I'm astounded by the mixed-up priorities in the lives of people today. Not that I'm perfect by any means - but I know that kids are more important than playing on the computer.

So true, Savannah and Carol. I appreciate all the advantages internet gives. I can read interesting books online, watching nice photos, listen to beatifulmusic and cheating with people from different countries of the world. But the more important for me, still is the REAL life, the one I have outside the computer screen. People cannot understand that I only goes to internet twice a day. There's people who seems to live along with their PC in a deep romance they couldn't have with real persons. Too sad. Some friends only speaks thourough Facebook or Twitter.

Internet is a great tool in our modern world, that's for sure. But it must not replace our family, going to fish in a creek, speaking with a friend face to face while drinking a Merlot or eating a chocolate cake, going outside to see the sun and the mountains. Internet must not replace LIFE. Real life, I mean.

Vanesa.

Vanesa wrote:

Internet is a great tool in our modern world, that's for sure. But it must not replace our family, going to fish in a creek, speaking with a friend face to face while drinking a Merlot or eating a chocolate cake, going outside to see the sun and the mountains. Internet must not replace LIFE. Real life, I mean.

Vanesa.

Very well written Vanesa!

Amy wrote:

I love this...."the one that's becoming really big now." Wow.


And, I just remembered why I never liked Bryant Gumble.

Savannah wrote:

]It's sad how true that is. Even on Facebook, I see post after post from friends complaining that they can't play on the computer because their kids are interrupting them.

Seriously?! I can't imagine saying that, and I can't imagine feeling that way either. I'm glad you said something, Savannah...they needed that 'reminder'. I agree with everything else you said too Savannah....Carol and Vanesa too. It's about balance. I'll admit I get carried away on here sometimes (especially here, LOL), but the kids always come first. And like Teresa said, now we've got the texting and searching online even out at restaurants and bars...it's like everyone has to be 'interconnected' all the time, and yet, they're not really 'connected'. I don't know...there's something to be said for the 'old days'.

Vanesa wrote:

... speaking with a friend face to face while drinking a Merlot or eating a chocolate cake....

I'm liking that example the best.

Technology presents other dangers, too. I'm sure we've all seen this lady who was paying more attention to her texting than to where she was walking.

I hope she learned her lesson!

LOLOLOLOLOL!!

Don't text while walking!!

Rob wrote:

Technology presents other dangers, too. I'm sure we've all seen this lady who was paying more attention to her texting than to where she was walking.

I think that the worse is that when she fell, NOBODY payed any kind of attention to her. She must not tyoe while walking, and people shoud be more compassionate.

Vanesa.

Amy wrote:

Vanesa wrote:

... speaking with a friend face to face while drinking a Merlot or eating a chocolate cake....

I'm liking that example the best.

My too, Amy!

Vanesa.

This is hilarious! It's amazing that none of us really knew about this back then and now everyone pretty much knows.

*sigh* can't see that one either Rob

Here's the link, Larry:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGpVpsaItpU&feature=related

That is hilarious Rob! And I'm with Vanesa---how could no one even notice this?!

That is SO something that would happen to me.

NOW I got it Rob..

The NBC employee that posted this made it go viral. The employee was fired. Talk about uptight people! Here is an article about it.


http://www.crunchgear.com/2011/02/04/nbc-ruins-the-fun-fires-employee-over-whats-the-internet-video/?ncid=webmail

Sheesh! NBC is clueless. Like this article pointed out, people weren't laughing at Katie and Bryant, but at how fast things have changed in 17 years.

As one of the commenters pointed out, Katie tweeted the link to this video, so if she can take a joke, why can't NBC?