Author Topic: What would you do... (Read 14753 times)

Weegee · « **on:** August 25, 2009, 11:02:54 PM »

...~~For a Klondike Bar?~~

Whoops. Let's try that again:

What would you do if the internet were to "break down" permanently tomorrow? To what extent would it affect your life if everything you had ever done online vanished instantaneously? That being said, anything downloaded and saved offline would be safe, but assume that everything from Facebook to Wikipedia would be irrepairably wiped.

Please don't waste anyone's time by explaining why this would be technologically impossible. This is from a purely hypothetical standpoint. So, in summary, how do you think the death of the World Wide Web would affect you, and the world as a whole?

Chupperson Weird · « **Reply #1 on:** August 26, 2009, 12:34:41 AM »

So wait, since everything is stored "offline" on server hard drives...

Weegee · « **Reply #2 on:** August 26, 2009, 12:44:14 AM »

Quote from: Weegee on August 25, 2009, 11:02:54 PM

Please don't waste anyone's time by explaining why this would be technologically impossible.

Let's assume that every server worldwide exploded simultaneously. Care to needlessly pick apart any more of my initial post?

ShadowBrain · « **Reply #3 on:** August 26, 2009, 08:00:54 AM »

Well... having lost game data and many things stored online in the past, I can certainly imagine how this would affect me. First of all, I have quite a few pictures and works on art on Photobucket that would be gone, but the most important of those I've backed up anyway. All my posts on the FF would be a memory (which would be a shame, because I sometimes like to revisit old threads), and... that's it, really. I mean, there's sites with huge archives I like to check up on like Snopes or Something Awful, but that wouldn't be a huge deal because, with the whole web down, it's not like I'd be missing anything new. Like I said, that's it--I don't Tweet or have a Facebook or MySpace (or a cellphone, for that matter). Many things on the internet exist (or did) in physical form or on TV anyway. I'd say it's actually a greater catastrophe when I'm away for the internet for a while and it's still running without me.

Glorb · « **Reply #4 on:** August 26, 2009, 01:36:09 PM »

I'd suffer from minor withdrawl that would last a week, week an a half tops. I'd get antsy when at home, but for the most part, I'd be pretty okay. I'm curious as to how people with extremely net-heavy lives and senses of humor would adjust; for example, I'm sure some people would just spend days on end just holing themselves up in their rooms.

The most traumatizing part would be people constantly moaning about how they miss the internet, though.

dc804 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 26, 2009, 03:29:13 PM »

I would miss it, but I am sure I can deal with no internet pretty easily.

But the annoying part would be my mom and my sister crying about how that there is no internet.

Sqrt2 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 26, 2009, 04:58:04 PM »

Although I'd be bored, I think I could cope with no internet.

I'd miss you guys though :(

Mr. Wiggles · « **Reply #7 on:** August 26, 2009, 05:37:17 PM »

I'd probably die of boredom and without a free source of porn or ecchi, I'd get irratant around women, moreso than usual.

also, it would make trolling significantly harder since I'd actually be running a risk of getting hurt instead of merely getting blocked or banned.

Koopaslaya · « **Reply #8 on:** August 26, 2009, 05:46:50 PM »

The only connections I would lose would be the ones made here. That'd be a shame, but oh well. Outside of that, my endless search for new music would be put on halt for a while, I guess. Other than that, I've got a lot of other things to do besides being on the computer, so it wouldn't be a total catastrophe.

Weegee · « **Reply #9 on:** August 26, 2009, 05:47:47 PM »

I can picture Mr. Wiggles using internet terminology in real life. A word of warning, guy: "LOL, AIDS" is not an acceptable term paper topic.

I suppose things would be more devastating from a worldwide view: For starters, millions of people would lose contact with online acquaintanes, phone services would be overrun, unemployment rates would skyroclet, banking records would be ruined, and California's entirely porn-fueled economy would come to a grinding halt. Have I missed anything?

Glorb · « **Reply #10 on:** August 26, 2009, 05:55:27 PM »

See: Project Mayhem.

The Chef · « **Reply #11 on:** August 26, 2009, 07:08:27 PM »

Eh. It would give me more time to watch TV, play video games and draw.

Quote from: Mr. Wiggles on August 26, 2009, 05:37:17 PM

also, it would make trolling significantly harder since I'd actually be running a risk of getting hurt instead of merely getting blocked or banned.

I think this is a definite sign that it's gone to your head.

CrossEyed7 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 26, 2009, 07:21:58 PM »

I'd be less ****ed if I was in a city where there's still stuff and people. If I had to keep living in my backwater hometown that's thirty miles away from everything and then I didn't even have half-real Internet people to talk to, it'd really suck for me.

Weegee · « **Reply #13 on:** August 26, 2009, 07:34:26 PM »

Quote from: ShadowBrain on August 26, 2009, 08:00:54 AM

I don't Tweet or have a Facebook or MySpace (or a cellphone, for that matter).

That's it; I'm now officially convinced that we're the same person. You don't happen to have a birthmark just above your right nipple, do you?

Anyways, I'm mostly in your and CrossEyed's boat. Aside from the occasional email, I don't maintain much online contact with anyone besides y'all here. This, combined with my being an only child and the lack of similarly-aged people in my neighbourhood, would equate to considerable loneliness.

ShadowBrain · « **Reply #14 on:** August 26, 2009, 08:08:38 PM »

Quote from: Weegee on August 26, 2009, 07:34:26 PM

That's it; I'm now officially convinced that we're the same person. You don't happen to have a birthmark just above your right nipple, do you?

No, of course no--wait... *checks*

Holy crap, I do. Well, maybe it's a freckle, but...

I'm not an only child, though.

TEM · « **Reply #15 on:** August 26, 2009, 08:36:15 PM »

This thread is retarded.

Peace.

Weegee · « **Reply #16 on:** August 26, 2009, 08:59:14 PM »

Now is the part where I make an intelligent comeback.

ShadowBrain · « **Reply #17 on:** August 26, 2009, 10:36:40 PM »

Well, you got the "back" part right. Kind of...

Mr. Wiggles · « **Reply #18 on:** August 26, 2009, 10:47:21 PM »

Quote from: Weegee on August 26, 2009, 05:47:47 PM

I can picture Mr. Wiggles using internet terminology in real life. A word of warning, guy: "LOL, AIDS" is not an acceptable term paper topic.

I'm not that pathetic that I'd be spamming memes irl. I do recall though a couple of students at my old high school walking around with Pedobear and cockmongler buttons.

Quote from: The Chef on August 26, 2009, 07:08:27 PM

I think this is a definite sign that it's gone to your head.

When you live in an apartment alone for a year without any daily contact with others, you slowly morph into what I am now.

Not to say I don't like it this way, but I feel I might as well tell ya how its come to this.

Weegee · « **Reply #19 on:** August 26, 2009, 11:09:41 PM »

Man, your school sounds like it was the polar opposite of what mine is. I can honestly state, as a fact, that nobody in my entire school has heard of 4Chan, let alone been Rickrolled. My classmates use the internet for nothing but Facebook.

Quote from: Mr. Wiggles on August 26, 2009, 10:47:21 PM

Pedobear and cockmongler buttons.

WANT

Turtlekid1 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 27, 2009, 07:20:32 AM »

Weegee, your school is like, the epitomy of internet innocence, and you want it to change?
The grass is always greener...

Not that I would advocate Facebook.

The Chef · « **Reply #21 on:** August 27, 2009, 11:08:47 AM »

Quote from: Weegee on August 26, 2009, 11:09:41 PM

Man, your school sounds like it was the polar opposite of what mine is. I can honestly state, as a fact, that nobody in my entire school has heard of 4Chan, let alone been Rickrolled. My classmates use the internet for nothing but Facebook.

Sounds like my school.

CrossEyed7 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 27, 2009, 01:41:14 PM »

I have a mole in the top-left quadrant of my area, in case anyone wanted to check if they were me.

Weegee · « **Reply #23 on:** August 27, 2009, 02:02:07 PM »

Quote from: CrossEyed7 on August 27, 2009, 01:41:14 PM

top-left quadrant of my area

Emphasis mine. Perhaps we don't want to know.

ShadowBrain · « **Reply #24 on:** August 27, 2009, 02:32:32 PM »

Yes, I was confused as well.

CrossEyed7 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 27, 2009, 03:09:03 PM »

You guys need to watch more MST3K.

Glorb · « **Reply #26 on:** August 27, 2009, 04:26:26 PM »

Every school I've ever been to has had a very small, yet still present, population of 4chan/internet meme dorks. It was hilarious seeing them blurt out some bull[dukar] about Cockmongler or Pedobear or whatever like anybody cared.

ShadowBrain · « **Reply #27 on:** August 27, 2009, 04:50:58 PM »

One of my friends is kind of a stoner b-tard and that's about it.

Mr. Wiggles · « **Reply #28 on:** August 27, 2009, 05:52:32 PM »

Quote from: Glorb on August 27, 2009, 04:26:26 PM

Every school I've ever been to has had a very small, yet still present, population of 4chan/internet meme dorks. It was hilarious seeing them blurt out some bull[dukar] about Cockmongler or Pedobear or whatever like anybody cared.

You had kindergartners talking about cockmongler and pedobear?

WarpRattler · « **Reply #29 on:** August 27, 2009, 09:16:48 PM »

Well, he was only in kindergarten last year, so it's entirely possible.

dc804 · « **Reply #30 on:** August 28, 2009, 10:38:30 AM »

With no internet, the 4chan dorks shall reduce themselves to people that mean something good to the world.

And for those that will lose their access to porn, save some of it to your computer before it is too late.

Mr. Wiggles · « **Reply #31 on:** August 30, 2009, 12:58:41 AM »

Quote from: Weegee on August 26, 2009, 11:09:41 PM

Man, your school sounds like it was the polar opposite of what mine is. I can honestly state, as a fact, that nobody in my entire school has heard of 4Chan, let alone been Rickrolled. My classmates use the internet for nothing but Facebook.

That's actually what most of my classmates did as well. Except in my day, we were all using MySpace because back then, Facebook was restricted to college students only before someone decided letting kids and celebrities have their own pages would make them super-cool.

Looks like it worked.

Quote from: dc804 on August 28, 2009, 10:38:30 AM

With no internet, the 4chan dorks shall reduce themselves to people that mean something good to the world.

And for those that will lose their access to porn, save some of it to your computer before it is too late.

It seems like a lot of those 4chan dorks do work for the most part, they work all those terrible jobs and late night/early morning hours you wouldn't do. So the next time you stop by a CVS pharmacy for some cough medicine, think to yourself: Is the receptionist browsing 4chan?

Trainman · « **Reply #32 on:** August 30, 2009, 11:33:27 AM »

Um... oh my God, hahaha, I have seen a cashier at CVS browsing 4chan on his huge, slidey phone before. I glanced and noticed he was looking at the Adults 18+ page or whatever the hell.

Speaking of phones, back then it was all about having the thinnest, tiniest phone. Now, it's turning into who can make the most "awesome," gimmicky, huge sliding phone.

Chupperson Weird · « **Reply #33 on:** August 30, 2009, 06:38:47 PM »

Yeah, it changed when they realized you could break your razr by breathing on it.

Trainman · « **Reply #34 on:** August 31, 2009, 01:28:17 PM »

However, when the rage was all about RAZRs, I myself had a SLVR, which was infinitely cooler than any RAZR out there (and thinner and not a flip phone). It was an absolute tank. I'm very careful with my phones, but man, it'd go through anything. I still have it actually...but, the day my girlfriend was gonna buy me a brand new touch screen phone as a birthday gift, my parents switched providers, unfortunately, and they got me a generic RAZR V3 (because my dad's workplace paid for them and now pay for our service; also, they thought that's what I liked).

Strange how in 2005 everyone would experience unusual euphoria if they got around a RAZR, but now RAZRs are the most generic, crappy, over-copied, has-been phones you can find. The iPhone and its touch phone competitors are 2007 & up's version of the RAZR now.

Also, to support your statement, Chupperson, the flipping mechanism has gotten loose or worn down, so I can move the screen side to side when it's closed........and that happened within a week of owning it from just being in my pocket...so yeah, they suck.

Back on topic, however, if the internet/etc. broke, I'd prolly be annoyed for a little bit, then get over it and go do stuff.

PghPens · « **Reply #35 on:** September 22, 2009, 09:52:00 PM »

I wouldn't really panic that much if the web went down. We DID live without it for centuries. I'm old enough to remember when telephones were the way to get in touch with people instantly (and I don't mean by texting or even on a mobile phone). While the web is definitely a great invention and has allowed us to do so much in every aspect of life, sometimes it's just nice to get away from it since it's really got its own set of problems and is like another earth in of itself (it has good and bad people, good and bad places, politics, economics, crime, disease/computer viruses, etc).

When I go on vacation I usually go without any device that can access the web. It's nice to get away for two reasons--it lets you take a break from both worlds plus it makes you appreciate it a lot more when you come home and use it again.

Trainman · « **Reply #36 on:** October 04, 2009, 02:40:13 AM »

Quote from: Mr. Wiggles on August 26, 2009, 05:37:17 PM

also, it would make trolling significantly harder since I'd actually be running a risk of getting hurt instead of merely getting blocked or banned.

You know, re-reading that just made me think of this kid that was actually trolling Gamestop when I was in there waiting for them to find Bowser's Inside Story (Please don't tell me about how retarded GS is).

Anyway, he was the kind of kid that sits on the curb waiting for someone his age to walk in. So, right after I walked in, he slowly stood up and walked in the door. I kept kinda glancing his way to see what was up and every time he was staring at me. He eventually started walking toward me slowly... stopping to look at games and then he was about 7 feet away from me, arms crossed, kinda staring into space. I was making small-talk with the cashiers:

Me: "So yeah man, what's the release date on Forza 3, again?"
Cashier1: "Sometime in November."
M: "How much is it to pre-order?"
C1: "$5 for the normal game; $10 for the collector's edition."
M: "Okay, I'll pre-order the collector's edition.... dude, Forza 3's gonna be bad ass!"
C1: "Hell yeah, man. I'm gonna get that when it comes around."
Cashier 2: "Okay.... you wanted Mario & Luigi 3, also.... on the Wii?"
M & C1: "Nah, man, on the DS."
C2: "Oh, you mean, 'Bowser's Inside Story'."
M: "No, Mario & Luigi 3" (I hate the subtitle for the American version)

*cue troller*

Troller: "LOL guyz, what about Halo 3: ODST LOL"
M: "Eh, sorry. I was never into the Halo series. I'm more of a Mario person, personally."
T: "Ah yeah dude, have you played the Smash Brawl?"
M: "...Smash Bros. Brawl?"
T: "yehz"
M: "Oh yeah, sure. It's a great game. Wi-fi was lousy, however."
T: "Yeah dood, I got 3rd place in a country-wide Melee tournament like... LOL not even 3 weeks after it came out back in 2001." (That would've made that kid like 9 years old in 2001)
M: "...Oh... you did?
T: "Yeah, 5 stock, no items.
M: "Where was this 'tournament' held?"
T: "Oh, up north. yeah LOL I'm new to Texas"
M: "Ah, that's legit.
T: "Do you like WoW?"
M: "Ehh... no. I can't get into that even slightly."
T: "Yeah, my [WoW character.... I don't remember] was like level 55, but lol i still died from [something, I didn't care to remember]
Cashier 2: "Yeah, man, I had the same problem...... World of Warcraft........ corrupted blood outbreak......... etc. etc. etc."
C1: "Sorry, man, we can't find Mario & Luigi. The computer tells me we have one more copy in the store, but we've torn this place apart... we can have one here by tomorrow, however!"
M: "No, that's okay."
T: "Lol, yah I never played the mario rpgs a lot LOL. im too addicted to WoW!"
M: "Ha, yeah man. It'll.... um... suck you in.... but yeah, fellas, it's all right with the Mario & Luigi deal. I'll just go to EB in the mall and get it there."
C1: "Yeah, very sorry about that."

I started leaving and I got in my Jeep and called EB to see if they had a copy. I was sitting there and the troller dude was still talking to the cashiers... then slooowly came outside again and just kinda stood around doing nothing.

Weegee · « **Reply #37 on:** October 04, 2009, 12:57:29 PM »

Did he actually say "lol" in real life?

Trainman · « **Reply #38 on:** October 04, 2009, 01:03:20 PM »

If he would've, I would've left the store after this sentence:

"LOL guyz, what about Halo 3: ODST LOL"

penguinwizard · « **Reply #39 on:** October 08, 2009, 12:11:40 AM »

After an initial moment of shock, I'd remember that I spend more time programming and drawing, so I could probably manage for about a week without realizing it's gone. Then when I do realize that it's gone... I guess I'd investigate this new-fangled thing called a "library" and "open world"... I'm saying that I could adjust, gradually. Because if and when my time's taken up by school or eventually a job, I find I really don't have much time leftover for online stuff. Because I waste my time online. So I'll rediscover how I wasted time previously. Which was videogames I think. It'd be a good excuse to start playing Super Mario Galaxy again. If TVs are out too, then I'd... I guess broaden my experience with books so I'm not locked into "books that resemble Watership Down or Redwall" all the time.

Weegee · « **Reply #40 on:** November 30, 2009, 09:18:57 PM »

Any more insight y'all have to spare would be greatly appreciated. I'm currently doing a project on the effects of the internet on youth culture, and summarizing the insights of fellow persons of the aformentioned group counts as the assignment's required "field research". So, please alert me if you have qualms about being anonymously quoted.

ShadowBrain · « **Reply #41 on:** November 30, 2009, 10:17:36 PM »

Quote away! That is, when I actually think of something eloquent to say.

However...

Quote from: Weegee on November 30, 2009, 09:18:57 PM

a project on the effects of the internet on youth culture

I'll expect a veritable Physician's Desk Reference-sized tome out of this one.

Weegee · « **Reply #42 on:** December 17, 2009, 10:58:21 PM »

As mentioned above, any relevant commentary you guys are willing to commit to text will be accepted with open arms. In other words,

MOAR INPUT PLOX

Mr. Wiggles · « **Reply #43 on:** December 17, 2009, 11:27:22 PM »

The reason I've survived this long in college without any friends is because I made some internet friends during my period of isolation away from my hometown. Is that good enough?

Trainman · « **Reply #44 on:** December 17, 2009, 11:46:37 PM »

http://www.cracked.com/photoshop_90_the-world-tomorrow-if-internet-disappeared-today_p16

Too lazy to find the hyperlink code, so here you go.

They're all pretty hilarious.

[[Strong language]]

ShadowBrain · « **Reply #45 on:** December 18, 2009, 08:21:11 AM »

Weegee:

Ways the Internet Has Affected Me (ShadowBrain)
1) I feel an intermittent, crushing sense of obselecense, inadequacy, and normality, since I now have the ability to see that yes, someone has a computer with a touch screen and a holographic keyboard, yes, someone else can do that trick shot you just did with a basketball (and ten times better, and they sell coffee mugs based on the experience), and yes, there are about 1,000 other people who own that shirt you thought was one-of-a-kind. In other words, "ignorance is bliss" is a lot more credible.
2) Once-coveted publications such as Playboy have little to no value, besides portability.
3) I've become accustomed to rapid-fire news, which I can only presume has done a number on my attention span and empathy. I DON'T Tweet, have a cellphone, or utilize a social networking site, though.

Weegee · « **Reply #46 on:** March 03, 2010, 07:51:35 PM »

I suppose it's worth mentioning that my project mark was 72%, deductions mainly due to a rather limited appendix and bibliograhy. That's fine by me, though. Many belated thanks for all you folks' input.

Mr. Wiggles · « **Reply #47 on:** March 04, 2010, 02:49:46 AM »

Post paper now so I may read it and determine whether your paper was graded properly.

sEEker · « **Reply #48 on:** March 04, 2010, 09:34:07 AM »

What would I do?..... Get out and do something....

Weegee · « **Reply #49 on:** March 04, 2010, 06:04:45 PM »

Quote from: Mr. Wiggles on March 04, 2010, 02:49:46 AM

Post paper now so I may read it and determine whether your paper was graded properly.

Not with that attitude, I won't.

Mr. Wiggles · « **Reply #50 on:** March 04, 2010, 07:24:23 PM »

Do as I say or I will cut off your big toe.

I can assure you of that.

Trainman · « **Reply #51 on:** March 12, 2010, 01:30:43 AM »

Quote from: Mr. Wiggles on March 04, 2010, 07:24:23 PM

Do as I say or I will cut off your big toe.

I can assure you of that.

You just blew your chances.