Blog# 3 - No Connection

Nathan Gillispie

2/16/20

No Connection

            On the day of February, 15^th 2020, I took on the task of abstaining from all internet usage for one 24-hour period. Initially, I thought this would be an easy task that would get me out of the house and enjoy nature; however, as each hour slowly wavered by it became apparent as to how integrated the internet was in my life. I discovered that an unfortunate majority of my lifestyle relies heavily on the use of the internet. From the movies I watch on TV to the clothes I wear tomorrow; the internet has influence over these decisions. It’s not easy to admit my addiction and reliance on internet usage yet, it was even harder trying to live without it. The current-day social culture that America is built on depends on the internet and the idea of always staying “connected” but, when that connection is suddenly cut it creates internal disarray and confusion.

            The day before my wireless journey began, I planned my day out and prepared for any unexpected problems that might arise. Like travelers packing for vacation, I packed content from the internet that I might need before my trip. I printed off maps to local restaurants and stores, screenshotted some cooking recipes, downloaded a few offline video games, and bought a couple movies to play on DVD. At the time, I felt so organized, equipped, and confident that I could last a few years without the internet. I went to bed that night feeling on top of the world and woke up the next morning with my world flipped upside down.

            The first hour upon waking, I was already disordered to a life of no internet connection. Out of pure habit, I reached for my phone on the bedside to check social media; however, my phone was not there. I sat in bed a little while longer, contemplating this new situation I was in then hopped in the shower. Once I was awake, I decided to drive to Buckroe Beach and enjoy the fresh coastal air. I immediately searched my phone for the weather app but remembered that was against the rules.  I peeked outside the window to evaluate the climate conditions for the beach. It seemed reasonable, I made breakfast and drove down the road. As I started to near the coastline, cars sporadically began to slow down and switch lanes. I sensed a traffic jam emerging up ahead but, was vulnerable to the outcome of the situation. I was no longer able to use my phone’s navigation apps to redirect alternative routes. Bumper-to-bumper traffic was not how I planned on spending my day free of the internet but, that’s what I got. I sifted through radio stations of old and unamusing content wishing I had my music streaming playlist downloaded. By the time I got to the beach, it was lunchtime and I was very hungry. Unfamiliar with the Hampton coastline, I couldn’t look up local fast-foods or quick restaurants to eat at. My best bet was to return to Newport News instead of getting lost without a cellphone. The loss of the internet for one day was slowly starting to get to me and created a discomforting feeling that grew by each hour.

            As the evening approached, I found myself bored and disconnected from the world around me. I had no clue what was happening with my friends or what was going on in the world. I reflected on how much I use social media, despite posting minimal content, I used it for staying informed on current events and social matters. I still had roughly 8 hours remaining in my internet-less day and looked for ways to entertain myself. The DVDs I picked out beforehand were now unappealing to me and I was looking for something else to fill this gap of time. It felt like a prime opportunity to study notes from my textbook reading. I was unable to use the Google Drive that stored my previous notes but I figured I could copy this section down on paper. Reading the textbook made time slow down and I looked for breaks to glance at my phone for a few minutes. Social media has always provided me with a quick alleviation of intense studying as I quickly drift away in limitless content. Preventing myself from picking up my phone, I kept reading and remained focused on the task at hand. It wasn’t long before I stumbled across a bolded word that I was unfamiliar with. The textbook hardly provided a rational explanation of the concept and I couldn’t help but think how easy It would be to just “google” the word. Frustrated with how my internet-free day was going, I decided to get an early night’s sleep and wake up to all the content I missed in one day.

            Going without the internet for one full day was something I thought I could prepare myself for and easily overcome. After experiencing a disconnect in the online world, I am now aware of just how integrated the internet has become in my life.  The Internet is not only responsible for entertainment value from watching movies or listening to music but, common functionality in society. I depend on the internet for gathering information, academic research, entertainment, and mainly communication. The Internet provides a medium between communication through social media platforms, email, and group chats; all of which I temporarily dismissed due to the lack of connection. My dependence on the internet is something, until now, I have gravely overlooked. American society has developed in a way that fosters and promotes the use of quick instantaneous internet connection at all times. It only took one day without the internet to realize my interdependence of this participatory culture social media creates in my daily life. Escaping the constant desire to remain connected in media and seeking gratification through online content is not easy. It appears that the internet continues to encompass the lives of people across the world, altering the lifestyles and development of society. 

References

Fuchs, Christian. Social Media a Critical Introduction. Sage, 2017.

“Broadband-Technology.” Umaizi, umaizi.com/how-broadband-penetration-will-benefit-nigerias-economy/broadband-technology/.

“Internet of Things: What It Is, How It Works, Examples and More: JUST™ Creative.” JUST, 19 Nov. 2018, justcreative.com/2018/11/19/internet-of-things-explained/.