4 ms·

I would disagree with your idea of living in a rural area somehow allowing you to distance yourself more from the internet, at least based on my own experience

I would disagree with your idea of living in a rural area somehow allowing you to distance yourself more from the internet, at least based on my own experience living in exactly such a place in Europe. Sure, we don't need the smartphone to get an Uber or get pizza delivery, but many necessities are also online. So rural does not mean backwards in those regards. Examples: I'm entirely dependent on online banking, as the nearest bank office is 30 minutes way (and it will be closed by end of 2021). The shops around here are mostly just food shops and a few ones that are more specific to the rural life, but for any modern creature comforts I quickly have to resort to online shopping. Want to take the bus, only mobile tickets are accepted these days. etc etc.

burntoutfire 6y ago
> Examples: I'm entirely dependent on online banking, as the nearest bank office is 30 minutes way (and it will be closed by end of 2021). Still, it's a convenience and a habit, not a neccessity. Before the Internet, people were simply taking that 30 minute trip to the bank. Hell, I have a friend who, in 2021, does not even have a bank account.
- alltakendamned 6y ago
  You're essentially right you know. I could also walk instead of take the car out of habit and convenience, just like in the old days.
  - davidhbolton 6y ago
    Except, I live in rural UK (Lincolnshire) and the nearest town with a bank (Boston) is 7 miles along roads that do not have pavements. Where its dangerous to cycle and even more dangerous to walk. It would be just about possible to live without the internet but getting to the shops would be dangerous without a car. There's little public transport with the nearest once a day bus accessible via a bus stop 1.5 miles along a dangerous to walk road. 17% of the UK (just under 10 million) live rurally in the UK.

burntoutfire 6y ago

> Examples: I'm entirely dependent on online banking, as the nearest bank office is 30 minutes way (and it will be closed by end of 2021). Still, it's a convenience and a habit, not a neccessity. Before the Internet, people were simply taking that 30 minute trip to the bank. Hell, I have a friend who, in 2021, does not even have a bank account.

alltakendamned 6y ago
You're essentially right you know. I could also walk instead of take the car out of habit and convenience, just like in the old days.
- davidhbolton 6y ago
  Except, I live in rural UK (Lincolnshire) and the nearest town with a bank (Boston) is 7 miles along roads that do not have pavements. Where its dangerous to cycle and even more dangerous to walk. It would be just about possible to live without the internet but getting to the shops would be dangerous without a car. There's little public transport with the nearest once a day bus accessible via a bus stop 1.5 miles along a dangerous to walk road. 17% of the UK (just under 10 million) live rurally in the UK.