What I Learned On the Internet

19 Dec, 2011Internet, Learning
What I Learned On the Internet

I have to admit that the Internet is about the most alluring tool of the Digital Devil ever devised. After all, where else in the world can one look for work, find romance, be bilked out life savings, and bash people without civility and abandon with reprimand, and it is okay? There is something to be said about the World Wide Web. The only thing is that there is a lot of digital-ese that makes it somewhat hard to understand.

I have friend who does everything online. From banking to communicating with friends and family, she seldom ventures outdoors. Needless to say, she has poor people skills, experiences road rage while driving, and is very intolerant of others’ opinions. Opposite to that, she is a brilliant graphic artist and photographer whose work graces the Internet in some very respectable places and is well-paid for her work. I believe she is fine with the trade-off of personal contact and social interaction to be a part of the Invisible Internet Community. It is fast becoming a very comfortable geographical location for many. No one is really concerned that it may mean the end of social dances, speed dating, and even weekly Sunday Mass. The Internet has replaced the forum of human conversation, reading, and even standing in line. It is simply not necessary anymore.

Some folks do not have to even shop for groceries anymore. They shop online and for a fee, their purchases are delivered to their home. I experienced this service, and I have to admit, I enjoyed it. The food was of better than I would have selected for myself. And the delivery person was pleasant each and every time. What was the benefit of this. No long lines, no old lady digging for her checkbook for five minutes in front of me, and no lugging ten plastic bags up three flights of stairs. Certainly worth the $ 10.95 delivery added to the cost of my grocery purchase. I look forward to the same positive experience shopping for Christmas this year. I have officially abdicated my place in line on Black Friday sales. Cyber Monday, here I am. I have promo codes on my breath. I have online coupons written in a notebook on my desk. I bid for gifts at four am, and I am the proud owner of a Wii I purchased for $26.00 in online bidding. Yep, no more Black Friday drama for me.

The one experience I am waiting to add to my list is to have the one fantastic date with someone online. I am still waiting for that one. Somehow it has not yet materialized. I have some resistance with using paid dating sites, but I am told that is the way to go. Folks who pay for dating opportunities are generally of better quality. It may indicate that they at least have jobs and are not online from a correctional facility, or homeless. When I think more of it, I might plunk down a cool $4.95 and find out.

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