Life Without The Internet? It's Actually BETTER! (Boomer Rant)

[@Juiceboxmakes]

3d printers open-source cad. And looking at the creations of intelligent individuals. Awesome. Research is great. But social media is cancer .

[@nedbog]

I remember those days. Time spent with friends was so much enjoyable.

[@armynyus9123]

I forgot :-/

[@iAmTheWagon]

It was fkn incredible. I miss it so much.

[@justethical280]

I was always reading books. Now almost never. i'm in IT, but i think internet and mobile phones have seized my head. I want my head back.....

[@jimmycasket7948]

@@justethical280 through you router in the trash.

[@Exoskel2]

Internet back than is used only by socially inept person. Now that everyone have it, everyone become socially inept and the originally socially inept one have no home anymore

[@h7x4]

Youngster here who have lived his whole life connected to the internet. I totally agree with what you're saying, and I've been trying for a long time to disconnect step by step. The hardest part about disconnecting is all of the communication between friends that you'll be missing out on, but most of them will at least send me a good ol' SMS whenever they're gonna have some sort of arrangement.

[@nubilate]

I agree, even now that things like Instagram stories or whatever the even younger kids use now a days have decreased our attention spans so much. I don’t even have many friends who would even use SMS since they find socials more better because of typing notifications and stuff like that. That scares me.

[@_d0ser]

The bald boomers align ever closer...

[@thefloridaman6527]

I am 21 yo and i really like your view. I am at the age where i know "both worlds". Until grade 4 i was at a school in a very small town where it was highly unusual for a child to have a PC. Playing outside and meeting in person was the norm. Later everyone had a computer and we all met more and more online. Now i listen and write to a guy somewhere on the other side of the planet 😂 which is also kind of cool. I don't know if one way to grow up is better than the other, but i think a healthy combination of both is beneficial.

[@erenwayne]

True, excess of anything can be bad. Although it may seem hard for most of the folks to balance everything but if they could life would've been slightly peaceful.

[@Dr_Dude]

I love this rant, growing in the 80's here... so totally can relate... I brought this often to my friends (of same age around 40) and we all agree on what is mentioned in this video. I even started to schedule an "end of connection access" time everyday... by 6 pm I try not to use the internet (And my phone still has internet but don't use it more than calls and text too). Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this, re assuring and refreshing to see ppl are waking to the fact that the internet left no borders (good or bad) in our lives.

[@Phydoux2112]

I've seriously considered switching back to a flip phone so I could cancel my data plan. I just need text and phone. DT mentions this and to me having a phone that can act as a low grade computer has been a total distraction in my life. It's come in handy whenever I needed to take a quick photo but it's also caused me to stop using my good DSLR equipment and good 35mm before DSLR. I miss my 35mm camera sometimes. If there was a local place that could process 35mm near me I'd use 35mm more.

[@JeffHendricks]

I wouldn't mind the internet being opt-in as long as you can also opt-out. But that's no longer the case. We bought into the promise of a Digital Utopia, but all we got was invasion of privacy.

[@toby3084]

hey dt, you arent speaking to a brick wall. I am among your younger crowd (15) and this inspired me to want to start reading and I will as soon as I can, I dont have any books in my house. But after watching I worked out for a while and am going to go on a walk.

[@bleighhh]

23 here, always avid reader and all but i really share your idea DT

[@ItzSleepzYT]

Real also me same

[@paulo9523]

Zoomer here, I totally agree with this Boomer rant. The 24-hour internet access brought lots of social problems to society we weren't prepared for.

[@primorock8141]

Zoomer #2 agrees with fellow zoomer

[@moister3727]

Zoomer 3# agrees with fellow zoomer, zoom

[@zs9652]

Zoomer #4 also agrees. Although I blame how corpos setup social media more so than general internet access.

[@theinceptor3672]

Zoomer #5 agrees. I am tired of social medias cause i feel like i am tied up to them. I feel more forced to use it rather than to my own consent or interest. I do love technology only when i use it with my own free will. I am tired of getting told to do some homeworks by teachers at 12am.Life was better as a kid as i only had to do my work and some homeworks at school (some at home).I didnt have to be pushed around in my own space

[@Tn5421Me]

This millenial agrees with these 5 zoomers.

[@mjdxp5688]

To me it's a give and take. It's great being constantly connected in the event of an emergency, and it's convenient being constantly connected to millions of people and having access to the entirety of human knowledge, but I'd say those are also drawbacks in some ways. I've been online for most of my life, when I was a young teenager it began to become expected that you'd be connected constantly, and I've become used to it. I remember there was a big power outage and my internet access became very limited a while back, to mostly just listening to radio for updates on the blackout. It felt really uncomfortable to me. Unfortunately I fear I've become completely tethered to it, whether I like it or not.

[@folksurvival]

"having access to the entirety of human knowledge" The internet does not hold the entirety of human knowledge.

[@danielwanner281]

@@folksurvival It holds a very large subset of it, at least. Its our largest library by far.

[@mjdxp5688]

@@folksurvival But it's easier and sounds better to say that.

[@mearetom]

I think you've described my problem well. It feels uncomfortable to not have information quickly, whenever you need it, and it is a lot easier to find that by simply using a search engine.

[@loisvallee7291]

I'm 18 and I totally agree with what you're saying. Been connected to the internet's since 12, as time went by I was more and more connected to the point of having no time with my own thoughts the whole day, always doing something on the Internet whenever I had some minutes of free time. Real life is not on the internet. Definitely inspired me to log off for a week or two, thanks DT

[@ChristopherCompagnon1AndOnly]

Hello Derek, Just a quick answer to your video, from my perspective. When I was a kid, Internet did not exist yet for standard people and I had no internet at home. Even when the technology came, we could not afford it. I did not have an Internet connection until I had my diploma, found a job and could pay for it by myself, in the late 2000. Before Internet, the world was essentially based on physical medias. Books, CD, … all was physical… For reading, you have to buy a book. When you could not afford the price of a book you could go to the public library. I was - and be- a «not very» social boy. I had no friends and still not have many. But I was curious about everything. I was too poor to even buy all the books I want/need. My only treasure was a 25 volume encyclopedia, which I read more than 20 times. I knew all the pages, all lines, all figures, all quotes. Fortunately, I had a public library by my home. But, physical media implying scarcity, I could not borrow more than 5 books a week. 5 books only ! And Internet changed my life. Scarcity faded away. I could finally fulfil my curiosity on every thing I want. I can talk with all the people I want (including you, right now) and share experiences, fun facts, cultural differences, supports, knowledges. I know, for sure, if I did not have Internet, I could not survive in that old world. It did not changed my life, it saved my life (litteraly). For the first time in my life, there is no limitation, no sold out. For the first time, I was the only limitation of this world. The computer never gets impatient or dull. It never jugdes me because I am too slow, too fast, too weird, too (something). I have talked to more people than I ever dreamed of. I have read more articles, studies, books, and seen documentaries I ever dreamed of. I know for sure, with no Internet… I should be probably dead.

[@liftlinux9421]

Agreed

[@walking_on_earth]

glad you're here fam :)

[@ChristopherCompagnon1AndOnly]

@@walking_on_earth Yep, me too. ;)

[@folksurvival]

But if you had had a computer and internet growing up you probably wouldn't have read all those books etc. you likely would have just wasted your time on junk (not only but more so).

[@ChristopherCompagnon1AndOnly]

@@folksurvival fortunately, no. Less at it seems. I do not have any TV and one of the good stuff I read was the Information Diet. I choose wisely what I put in my time/brain.

[@corypollard]

Really enjoyed this rant, I feel the same as I was born in 76. I remember those days well, when we all disappeared from dawn to dusk exploring or whatever...and that was okay. I'm interested in viewing more videos like this if you make them.

[@AdvaitDhingra]

I partially agree. Thanks for making this

[@derekgoodwine7509]

I left Facebook, Instagram, twitter, pinterest and other social media 6 years ago and I never looked back. I don't miss it. Only my computer lab in my house and KZbin for watching DT and other IT channels and that is. No TV sometimes radio. My phone is always in silence and I am happy with all that.

[@claudiovenanzi4610]

Not a boomer rant, yesterday I was saying the exactly same thing on reddit, what a coincidence. I agree and am scared about the long-term effects on our society.

[@fenn_fren]

Let me guess, r/unpopularopinion

[@claudiovenanzi4610]

@@fenn_fren yup, in a comment tho, I was not OP

[@6bim4uYGfeGSM4jdEm9g2]

Last time the wi-fi stopped working, i was just customizing emacs

[@JesseNeckred]

Was born in 1986, so I grew up in the 90s. At that time, if a video game was released unfinished, it was considered bad, now it's just normal. I had video games and dial up, but still read books and played outside with my friends. The internet and video games were just another thing we did, they didn't replace everything else. Didn't have broadband until I was an adult. Now even though my job requires home internet, I still view video games and internet in the same way, they're just some of the things and don't replace anything (except tv, because I don't care for tv when it's not NFL season).

[@martinfurlanic]

You said it all my friend! I ditched the TV about 15 years ago and my level of personal happiness increased drasticaly, the same happened when I left facebook and Instagram .... also increased my quality of life. I hope many others will recognise this. At the same time I'm very sad seeing younger generation living the "social-media" life.

[@ShaunakHub]

Agreed 100%... It has become more like a disease.. Or an addiction.

[@blackberry8692]

Hey DT, How does it feel like to rant from a couch, just like Loiss Rossman?

[@zipaJopa]

That is very true, I'm a 1994 kid so I had a glimpse of the old times but got addicted and revolved my whole life around being on the internet... Nowadays I am ever more depressed and starved of real connections

[@sbrazenor2]

Now you're talking about disconnecting from the internet more and more, and not using your phone for the internet... Hmm... Seems like you really might be Luke Smith. 🤣

[@WafflesOinc]

Another deep fake

[@AlastairMontgomery]

I remember having to go to an "internet cafe" to get online in the early days, remember the first on in Edinburgh being packed out all the time.

[@Kampouse]

i actual do that now a day since i have not yet any internet at home ahaha

[@AlastairMontgomery]

@@Kampouse cafes with banks of computers or just borrowing wifi now?

[@pear7828]

I remember having to go to either the library or to a friend's house when I was a little kid... ....😒 Also remember being able to easily buy a Quality TV that wasn't smart or connected to internet.

[@SubhadityaMukherjee]

Well I'm 21. And I fully agree. I've been starting my day with a book for the past week. And trying to get time off my system. (I'm a programmer). And it's been really great. A bit of a challenge. But anyway. Thank you for sharing these. Some of us really needed to hear it :)

bro this is perfect, more couch content

[@abdullahleghari]

Fun fact: Kindle or eink e-book readers don't feel like using a piece of technology. Also less stress on eyes. I now even convert blog posts & online articles and later read them on kindle. Way, better than TV/Phone during leisure hours, after been sitting in front of a computer for 8 hours straight.

[@cokesucker9520]

I’ve seen studies that say retention of what was read is lower on ereaders than physical books. But it is just one study so who knows. I still prefer physical even if they are functionally the same.

[@folksurvival]

@@cokesucker9520 I've seen that too and I used to prefer physical but more and more I prefer my Kobo. The exception is with large format books full of photos/pictures/diagrams, those need to be physical, but with general literature, fiction, non-fiction texts then I actually prefer to read them on an e-reader now and I don't feel less retention now. If anything I think once you adapt the retention can be higher because you focus more on the text itself rather than the object of the book, if that makes sense. Also the built in dictionaries and stuff help with understanding what you are reading because you can quickly and easily check the definitions of words you are unsure about as you go.

[@Phydoux2112]

Life was so much simpler then. I remember playing on my Commodore64 in the mid to late 80s, then buying a 20MB Lt. Kernel so I could run a Commodore BBS. We didn't have Patreon or anything like that. This all came out of pocket as I ran a free BBS. Later I switched to an IBM based BBS and then shortly after that the internet was born and the BBS fad just dropped to a lower standard. Internet was king as far as dial-up was concerned. Who needs a BBS when you have a world of computing right at your fingertips. Usenet was one of my favorite places to hang out. Discussions and file transfers all in one place.

[@joegee2815]

Absolutely, at some point it became irresponsible to let your kids roam the neighborhood, hang out in the woods, ride bikes to the school to play ball, etc... We adopted a zero risk culture that sucks the entire joy out of the experience of being a kid. And now with the faux pandemic, my kids have retreated to nearly 100% online entertainment and socializing. We have lost something. Drives me nuts. I do try to force them to get outside and ride a bike or take a walk around the neighborhood at least once a day.

[@legochicano]

This is a good rant for many generations. I've been questioning many things lately of how I use technology and I've been a huge tech nerd for many decades. I agree being connected 24/7 is so different than the world we grew up with. I thought I wanted this world after years of mobile tech I carried with me, but it is scary to see how we live and the future we haven't experienced.

[@axelfricke-delia924]

This is easily the best content I have seen and heard in years!! Thanks!

[@karmacolonic]

I hear ya, brother -- thanks for expressing your thoughts. You're not alone in thinking that life in the 90s and early 2000s was definitely more balanced and well-rounded... And that sadly, 'digital natives' will never know the world in the more diverse, more independent ways we did. Being always connected has gotta have some psychological toll somewhere down the line.... Anyway, thanks again for sharing your thoughts -- and your audio sounds great, BTW. 👍(Nice couch, too! 😉)

[@arielcg_]

You're completely right, I'm from the Gen Z (18 right now) and feel like I need to be always doing something on my computer. When I was a kid some years ago and had a 3Mbps connection, I could barely watch videos in HD, and websites took many seconds to load. I used to go to school, get back home, do my homework and stuff, go to some extra activity and at night connect a while to the internet, watch some KZbin, read about things that interested me (programming, for example) and then went to bed, read a book for a while and slept. No mobile phone with me all day, no checking emails and social media all the time, no notifications... Life was really easy back then, and slow-paced. Nowadays, people even complain about you not reading the message they sent you a while ago. Everybody wants to know where you are, to text you all the time. And the worst part is, if you reject this, you are seen as someone weird, or stupid, for just not accepting this. I like the concept of the internet, as a place you connect to, watch some content, speak with friends and family (either via email, IM or video chat like Jitsi), read about things and then leave. But I really don't like having to pay attention to messages all damn day, news, trends, memes... Everything changes so fast. What happened a week ago is no longer relevant, there's a new topic everybody speaks about and then suddently forgets because of that new something (but that's another topic). About being connected all the time, it's completely true, you always write a message and stay connected waiting for the other person's response (which is often short and in multiple messages, or audios or whatever). I don't really like that. I like what happens in (for example) mailing lists, where you post and then check some hours later your email and see the responses, and you answer again. Feels like physical letters, where you sent one and received a response some days later. Texts were long, and thought beforehand. I know this may sound very boomer or whatever, but it's true. I don't really like being connected all the time, I feel like it drains my energy, as it's a constant updating on everything. The good thing about newspapers is reading a whole list of news from the previous days, go deep into those you're interested in and ignore what you don't care about (sports in my case, for example). Now it feels like everything is made for you, and pushed into your brain. I'm interested on more than 60% of videos youtube recommends me, what makes me spend A LOT of time here instead of doing something else.

[@arielcg_]

​@@bigpod Depends on what you read and listen/watch. In most cases, young people just spend their time watching cringe dances on tiktok. It's sad, but it's the truth. Having a computer and internet is great, access to articles from anywhere around the world, programs that allow you to make many things, wikipedia... However, someone who would have spent their day reading (whatever, doesn't matter) and now spends their time watching tiktok (or reels or #shorts or whatever) are actually being less productive. Reading is good for the brain, it also stimulates imagination and many other things. Tiktok is just (mostly) 1-minute-long stupid videos that you'll probably forget about ten videos later. I personally like reading. Every time I search for something on Wikipedia, I end up reading ~10 more related articles, and what was just a basic search ends up being entertainment for half an hour or more. And I'm sadly from the minority that spends more time reading (even online) than on social media.

[@arielcg_]

@@bigpod That's how you perceive it, but many scientific studies have demonstrated reading has multiple benefits, that include increasing your vocabulary, reducing stress...

[@altrogeruvah]

I was a kid when dialup came here in Greece. Back then, access to the internet was a luxury, time was precious, so I spent this sacred hour every day to search for information, knowledge etc. I am 34yo now and when I sit on my computer and launch my web browser, my heart sinks in. I just don't want to be here anymore. I've started doing what you do as well, just sit in a techless living room either alone or with my wife and just wind down. I love being away from the computer.

[@DeshierArchitecte]

DT on the couch.

[@jackkeifer]

Man you really nailed it DT! It's so nice to see when someone inadvertently (re)discovers the "secret". You may also discover that time doesn't seem to accelerate so fast into the future because you're not constantly jacked-in to that trance state of being online. Back in the day TV would cause it also, but to a lesser extent. I remember those days when playing meant being outside too. Today, many kids wouldn't know what to do if they found themselves outside with no phone or Nintendo Switch. Wonderful video, I love these boomer rants! Keep them in the mix. Variety (and your cool down to earth persona) is why I love your channel! PS - the audio was perfect in this vid. I think the loveseat worked. 👍

[@cradlecoast]

Totally miss those days. Now I have to have a mobile phone so my employer knows where I am. Trust is gone.

[@kornerkorner1601]

I wonder what happened with employers, and money. I always feel super boomer and like SMH every single time when i realize paychecks in physical cash isnt a thing anymoe and its all internets, i know there is like million reasons but it always baffles me, recently had been writing my job contract and i almost panicked because i didnt think of the part i need a bank account, so i had to call my mom so i can send the money on her account (i never had a proper income so i never needed to make account). No idea when it changed to be a norm but its weird, physical cash is super useful and viable way to do things, like bus, trains, some small shops etc. but it drives me nuts i cannot like, get money from my employer into my hand.

[@BigSavageG]

@@kornerkorner1601 It all comes to control. We are going to real life dystopia where everyone will know everything about you. Physical cash is really important for privacy. If they get rid of it we are fucked.

[@kornerkorner1601]

@@BigSavageG im kinda more and more grateful to be born in slavic country still kinda fresh out of ussr regime and because they are behind west like merica and such i get to enjoy some of the non digi luxuries for a lil longer

[@BigSavageG]

@@kornerkorner1601 So do I, from Poland but our economy isn't bad so we got digital devices easily accessable. The good thing about slavic countries is that they are not as braindead as west countries but here also I came to notice stupid feministic movements and also boys and men are feminized, not as much as on the west but still they are. Also we have quite a lot conservatists in politics so it won't be like in USA where they want to install everywhere political correctness and other stupid shit. Yet we have other problem and it is indoctrination with religion. So when others are teaching 58 or whatever the number genders, in our country they teach that we have to believe in jesus.

[@Tn5421Me]

There was never trust, but they have a new privacy nightmare they can inflict on you so they will never not do it.

[@georgemcray]

It's a huge topic. There are people who can't just opt out from the Internet due to their job or class or whatever. It's not a choice for them. However, the important thing to remember is to satisfy a need. I need to do something, I do it and then I'm out doing other things. There is no reason to stay all day and night connected when I don't have any real, actual need to do something on the Internet. There are so many other things we need to do. Life is NOT just the Internet. Btw just found your channel while searching for Linux videos. You got my sub.

[@sunriseleatherco.6587]

Sound is good ... even on my tinny old laptop lol

[@chuckliddell6492]

I have been trying to get my friends out of social media and I havent been on the social media for months. It feels good to be out of the toxic parts of the net

[@tonyp9313]

Internet isn't just about social media. It's a tool for resources. It makes your every day life easier.

[@walking_on_earth]

when I was a kid I had a crappy Windows computer shared by my family with dial-up internet. now my internet-connected devices are like spiders: there is always one within six feet of me. rather than deciding to log onto the computer and the web, now I have to decide to put down the screen and go for a walk or read a book or something. I do make those decisions, and I do intentionally limit my screen use. but it doesn't change the fact that using a computer/phone is my default state, and I have to decide to enter a non-connected state. we are cyborgs, but not like robocop... more like some kind of fungus that sits in place and quietly connects with unseen entities.

[@calvinrempel]

I agree with you. I keep finding home life is - overall - more enjoyable without a lot of tech/without being online... and then I hook my laptop back up and kill another weekend wasting time online, wondering where my time went, feeling rather "blah". The modern internet/WWW is designed to get us hooked.

[@Gepeto213]

This video needs to be promoted. Really inspiring. Thanks for sharing and... sorry because I watched it on my phone 😄

[@mtothem1337]

I can agree with this. There is many ways to make your computing experience better while being offline. For example making a local mirror of your package repository. This way you can still install programs you might need or want without needing a connection. There is also many ways to get documentation offline. And of course services like Plex that let's you view your offline media collection. The biggest downside with always being connected is that it's a constantly a potential source of distraction.

[@burnzy3210]

Not sure about the camera angle but I do like this "DT on the sofa"/off the cuff format and would like to see more of it!

[@samuelschwager]

Fully agree. I noticed that my attention span gets better when I stay offline for some time.

[@wojwesoly]

I'm from the broken gen z and I really wish we could return to the 90s (well I was never there so I don't think that I can say that) and just stay there. Now because of covid i'm on my computer everyday from 8 am to 10 pm, and after that I go to my bed and use my phone, the first thing I do in the morning? I take my phone and check the notifications, messenger etc. I know that I'm addicted but I feel like it's "beyond repair". I think that going to the 90s where all these things were non-existent, rare or opt-in would help a lot in treating this. For sure I would miss all of this but I just wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

[@snipzmattio5887]

Uninstall network manager and no internet. Boom, problem solved

[@JRCSalter]

If you realise there's a problem, the best thing to do is remove the tempatation. That's what I did. I decided to delete Facebook and Twitter from my phone. I didn't give myself time to think about the decision, I just did it. It helped that I wasn't deleting the account, so it would still be there should I ever go back. I never once missed it. Now, whenever I would have felt the need to browse social media, I read a book, or something else I consider to be more productive.

[@nichtgestalt]

It is slightly strange to see these kind of words in the comments of a channel which is next to other topics about Linux users being control freaks. So let me tell you something I've learned installing Gentoo: Gentoo gives you a lot of rights and freedoms but at the same time you are responsible of managing it. (just like in arch but taking one or two steps further) It may be hard to over come it but that is not because Gentoo (Or maybe even Linux in general) is bad, but because it does exactly what you tell it to do. With freedom comes great responsibility. You have the freedom to be connected to the internet 24/7 But only because you do so. You just simply have the freedom to not do so. It ain't easy. NOT AT ALL! But it is simple. You are the one in charge. You have the power! So do what you WANT and not what is easy.

[@folksurvival]

@@nichtgestalt "do what you WANT and not what is easy" That's a pretty good quote.

[@cole9822]

I am only 18 and I agree. I would prefer to not be connected all the time but it is hard in the modern world.

[@SleepyRulu]

I can relate as millennial.

[@yjk_ch]

It’s been about 6 months since I left my home(I am fully returning to my home next year), and I no longer have access to my computer. And it really gave me some time to think about my past and what should I do once I return to my home. Also, as you’ve said, disconnecting from the internet is the best thing for security.

[@dacho707]

couch boomer rant >> forest boomer rant

[@TheBlueThird]

I remember dial-up; I used to have the Callwave internet answering machine. People could leave you a message while you were online.

[@stee1rat]

Oh boy, DT started to turn into Luke Smith ..

[@barrdack]

no, they just connect to the same subconscious "server"

[@axton9521]

I was glad when I didn't know Luke Smith existed. I watched a Video of him, and wtf? I mean yes porn isnot good for you, but he blows it way out of proportion. There is no evidence, that it really fucks you up that much.

[@barrdack]

​@@axton9521 Your brain will always look for easy ways so porn it is a shortcut, you will eventually become unmotivated, you will end up with a wasted life with no skills under your belt because all you did was instant gratification. Because dopamine is involved it becomes addictive and as all addictions ruin your life, your health and your relationships. It also distorts your view of real sex. I speak from experience I am the same age as Luke and I have been a coomer, alcoholic, smoker and gamer for most of my adult life. I have not watched porn in more than 4 years now and that helped me get rid of my other addictions. I am more content and healthy now than I was 5 years ago. What I wrote here would have made no sense to my past nihilist self so I don't expect you to get it, only if there is someone else willing to walk this path I can tell you it is worth it, quit porn!

[@axton9521]

@@barrdack Hmm so this is just about porn? I don't watch that stuff for other reasons (the women in it), but is masturbation ok? Because if not I would like to see some research that backs the claim, that masturbation makes you lazy... I mean don't get me wrong, but your argument is kinda weak, because you day "... addiction" is bad thus ... is bad. Of course an addiction is bad duh, but the thing behind it isn't necessarily. Still glad you got out of yours!

[@axton9521]

@@barrdack And one question is gaymer meant to insult gay people or gamers, because if gay is an insult to you, I would feel sorry.

[@livelearnandteach7402]

Bang on. This is why I have my urge to live in the woods. I really just need offline time. Cheers.

[@danieljongepier7473]

Yes, life was something else when internet was not such a huge part of it. Growing up in an upcoming internet (I'm an '80's kid) world, there was lots to explore but now it seems what started out as a good idea is just being abused again for things it was not intended for. There are countless examples of what gets out of hand and has evolved in something the original creators did not intend.

[@dukeatron]

Internet is good and all *but the toxic children on Twitter trigger me more than FaceBook and Google collecting data*

[@smeake]

I do agree with you Derek, as a young man who was a child in the 90s I wish we could go back to that time. But even then I wouldn’t have met my internet friends.

[@nawazmohammed2879]

I am young, and I do agree with your talk here. The only thing which is bothering me is, WHAT WAS THAT NOISE (ALIEN INTERVENTION) at 2:32. Is DT an alien now???

[@nawazmohammed2879]

@Aaron Speedy 😂😂

[@nerdnotawheep5474]

Good one, Derek. U reminded me of those days. Take care 👍

[@free-john_2008]

I looked through the comments and nobody suggested that you could get a lot of practicing done on your t-bone. I remember some good notes coming out of it on one of your "old" videos.

[@sigmundfreud4472]

I agree about books. I had a great time reading thirteen physical books the past three/four weeks. But it felt more difficult than before; I feel out of shape for it.

Indeed. Sitting down on the couch for a solid hour and just thinking is very nice. It gives you much more energy to deal with all the things you need to do, and it keeps your head clear during the day. I don't feel like I personally need the nuclear option. The main thing is just to get off any service with an infinite scroll. Social media, for the most part. After I stopped browsing random forums and got off Facebook, it became glaringly obvious how much time I wasted on those things. Now I just have a fixed KZbin feed, staying off of the recommended feed for the most part, and it feels great.

[@sasakanjuh7660]

Can't help but thinking that shirt has some Mastodon album cover (Hunter, in particular) every time I see it :)

[@vga4344]

I still spent time with my friends (I'm 19yo btw) and it's so much better ! No phones at all when we meet, we just enjoy life !

[@Blackcountrysteam]

Hey DT being a 77 year old from the UK I can remember the time when only Dr's , businessmen and the rich had a phone in their home for me it was a walk onto the village ( meaning local part of town) to use a pay phone and hope it didn't eat your money That said I supposed these days I couldn't do without the Internet being someone who doesn't sleep well and not in the best of health it's become my window to the world 😀

[@soham7510]

Im 20 and agree 100% what you said. Im not from the 'developed world' and have experienced internet free life. And I wanna go back to that, and trying to go offline :)

[@PostMasterNick]

The lead in ad I got for this video was an anti-porn ad

[@paulingraham4831]

Gaming addiction is bad enough but here in my state we now have online gambling. Wondering how many families that's going to destroy

[@AIC_onyt]

Im a 2000s kid (born 2004) Its sooo annoying being with friends nowadays. EVERYONE is hooked to their phones. I remember meeting old schoolmates of mine and one of them literally started an Instagram live-stream in front of me, because she got attention from 20 people instead of just 2. I watched my two friends consooooom Instagram for 1h straight..... (I didnt want to leave, because real life friends are the best cure for online addiction)

[@EXTRAEDC]

Iam from 1988 and i miss the late 90/2000s so much 😢.. we had videogames and some sort of the internet but we didnt use them every day .. we went outside and explored the world.. and then we played videogames.. offline .. with friends ..

[@HelvecioGomes]

I know the feels. I'm 28 yo here so I grew up with the internet but I can't find fun being connected anymore. Don't have social media except KZbin.

[@sk8444]

I am in my early twenties, but I still agree with most things you say. From my point of view, the smartphones were the real game changer. A computer still is primarily a device to get work done (atleast for me), but smartphones have turned into toxic devices designed for stuff that stimulates you 24/7 and yet wastes your time. I am talking mostly about social media and the "always connected state". Luckily, when I was a kid I didn't grow up with a smartphone. Even as a youngster, I had some offline fun time, which I appreciated. But looking at some pepple of the post 2000 era, the "TikTok generation" with the attention span of gold fishes... that frightens me for the future. It's a generation of kids whose parents don't know the dangers about unregulated smartphone use and digital consumption. The kids will waste their best years in which they can develop themselves and have experiences of their own... Mental health will be a big issue that's ahead for the "developed" world. And yet a lot of this mess, I think, could be solved by just... going into a forrest or park every once in a while and listen to the birds for a few hours. The trouble is, that this exercise will not be stimulating enough for the people who could benefit the most from it

[@AndersJackson]

I remember when mobile phones was exclusive and not in every ones hand, like today. I also set up Internet on my University and sent the first email. I also remember how it was to set up servers in the web in 1992-1993. So I know how it was before Internet. :-) Heck, I even remember those telephones with that brick with holes in where you stick your finger in different places to dial a telephone numbers, to reach your friends mom and hope she would remember to transfer your message to your friend. :-)

[@sasakanjuh7660]

And, to your point, I totally agree that time spent on the internet back then was significanly more thoughtful (I honestly miss those days so much). But, I always say, the internet is not the problem, the problem lays in the way we choose to use it.. In my case, I use it for work, reading, learning, promoting my projects, and discovering new contents regarging my hobbies, personal development, artists/bands/any other form of art.. So, the way I see it, internet is immensely helpful (at least to me), if we choose to use it rationally and in beneficial way, so the choice is always ours, and we are the only person to blame for the time we're spending :)

[@breadmoth6443]

I remember those days, but the only problem with dialup was the per hourly rate. At least in around 1997 my phone provider gave me unlimited local finally, and I also found a dialup service that didn't charge by the hour.

[@C6438911]

i remember dial-up modems .. lol... couldn't use the phone while on the internet. that's a long time ago, i don't miss those times tbh. I rather have the internet we have today. Its a matter of discipline to restrict yourself from the internet or online services. I want to have a choice to be online constantly or not to be online at all, but not forced to be offline (i get a bit nervous about that). I'm in the same age category as DT (I'm 48).

[@firelights3675]

I'm part of the young crowd and I completely agree!

[@krissifadwa]

I'm not even interested in reading comments like I used to and to me, this is an accomplishment lol I am working my way to completing task off getting off of KZbin; for good.

[@dougtilaran3496]

Go get a library card ! I took about 30 pics of orchids in bloom today... rain let up so me and dogg went for a walk in the rainforest. Then I came back to this damn box.Back outside to my smoker.Pulled pork night !

[@folksurvival]

Libraries aren't what they used to be. Even before 2020 (with many being closed etc) they were dwindling in many places. The shelves full of books replaced by rows of desks and internet connected computers.

[@walter_lesaulnier]

I grew up exploring caves, building Heathkit kits, and almost burning down my father's storage shed multiple times trying to make homemade fireworks. There is no sweeter caress of the ears than the sound of a dial-up MoDem. Young whipper snappers today don't even know what MoDem is short for.

[@GrumpzTheCat]

Modulator/Demodulator.

[@cm37177]

sounds like paradise

[@cm37177]

I'm off the grid yall😃

[@bobpeters61]

"Boomer rant" about when the internet was opt-in dial-up. Although some people clump my generation in with the Boomers, I consider myself to be of a different generation in between Boomers and their "Gen X" offspring, and I was in my 30s in the '90s. I grew up with no internet at all. Yet strangely enough, I can relate to this. With less access to porn, the models in the sexy lingerie and negligee in the Mongomery Ward's catalogue served the purpose.

[@tiitulitii]

I did not miss anything, when there were nor the internet nor any mobile devices. But, now I miss those good old times. There were so much more to do in your own personal life even, when we did not yet have a tv. Living was more active and it was all your own life.

[@tsundoku5733]

I didn't have an internet connection at home before the beginning of the pandemic and I managed to read 50-60 books per year. (And I also remember the dial-up modems.)

[@---Ferran---]

Without the internet I could not be here listening to you. So obviously it makes me happy to be here. However I understand your message.But I come from a generation of books, discs, movies in the cinema or walking down the street, I understand that there is much more to the world than the internet. I am sure about that things, but I don't know if people younger than me are also sure.

[@lilianaturcanu5331]

This experience Luke Smith described in his video when he was without a internet connection in his house years ago.

[@michaeldhondt368]

Glad to hear your rant. i am similar i have not had tv or internet for years. my only screen is on my flip phone if i want to do anything on the internet its on my flip phone including watching this video and typing this comment

[@paquitojhs]

I miss those days 100%.

[@ChamithaPriyasankha]

yeah, those 56k modems were pain in the a$$. We liked to stay disconnected than dialing up. Heck it was pretty slow anyways (3-4 kbps)

[@alexanderp7521]

Life without access to information through the Internet would be complete nightmare. I remember those times in my childhood (90s) without Internet and I don't want those times to return ever again

[@rallinrallen8040]

You're so right, its kinda sad the current state of the world having internet 24/7

[@abarocio80]

This brought me some memories. Totally agree.

[@alexbecar977]

Hey Dt! I'm Gen Z and I do miss the days when phones were just phones and not a part of me.

[@Lucas_Fidalgo]

I'm only 21 but I remember when there was no smartphones, me and my friends just played all the time and school was a lot different as well

[@TreeLuvBurdpu]

I started watching this, and then you talked me out of watching this on the internet. I could already tell my life would improve by not listening to the rest of it.

[@django008]

i remember using netzero to connect to the internet, had to use it at certain times cause parents needed the phone line to be opened, so i find myself waiting till 9pm just to play runescape and such. At the time i would still go outside and hang out with my friends just sitting on the porch doing dumb things as kids would do. Now getting older i also started to use my time for my hobbies that not computer related like table top stuff or painting miniatures

[@wingster4804]

The other reason along with tying up your land line, was once you got on the Web, it was costing you by the minute, which made you look something up, then hang-up, in the back of your mind that clock was ticking, 5p/5c a minute plus the vat was enough. Mind you, opening a Web page today with all the ads and vids is probably the equivalent of downloading, sorry everyone, All six disks of Windows 3.1 including the printer drivers.

[@H.berg040]

I am a millenial, born in the late 90's. kind of trapped in both worlds tbh. I remember my father having floppy disks and shelves filled witch empty cd rom's so he could burn software and movies in them. I can agree with the opinion that we shouldn't be connected with the internet by default. The impact social media and game developers have on this new generation of youth is scary...

[@m3hrajbhat]

Btw we were Disconnected from whole connectivity for about 7 months in 2016 and 19-2020 here in Kashmir

[@user-gi2mn5yf5j]

Hey DT, more lighting on couch for shadows and great topic one doesn't understand until doing a lot of both.