5 ms·

I would say lack of home internet could even be an advantage. Because the moment new demographics go online en masse, big internet corporations start salivating

I would say lack of home internet could even be an advantage. Because the moment new demographics go online en masse, big internet corporations start salivating. Without home internet no distractions, no dopamine hijacks, no content control issues, most importantly no imperative for parents to gain technological familiarity if they want to protect their kids. Kids could simply use school internet for research, download the relevant content, do the deep dive at home like they would do with any book from a library.

Koshkin 5y ago
I get what you are saying, but we have to learn to live meaningfully, with the internet being now an inalienable part of our lives.
- Retric 5y ago
  Why? The Amish are the extreme example, but you can minimize or even cut out the internet from your life if you want to.
  - Mediterraneo10 5y ago
    In Europe, more and more banks have been slashing opening hours and the number of clerks at physical locations, or even closing locations outright, because customers are expected to do nearly everything through online banking. Many forms of interaction with the state require using their online portal, and even if you visit the government office, they may just show you how to do what you need through the online portal instead of helping you directly. Programs to assist people who do not have a phone and internet, now focus on giving those people a phone and internet; there simply isn’t willingness to make technology optional for that tiny demographic that eschews internet use. Yes, the Amish have managed in the USA so far, but I think that even those days are numbered. Just as many Amish already own mobile phones, though they limit their use and keep them stashed away most of the time, they will be forced to do online things, too.
    - swiley 5y ago
      Having grown up here I think a lot of people would freak out if you had to use computers for services. The town I grew up in doesn't even let you pay taxes online in 2021.
      - anthk 5y ago
        Also not a lot of old people is computer savy in Europe. And by old I mean > 55-60.
        dagw 5y ago
        I saw some article suggesting that actual computer savviness is on the decline among people under 18 as well due to the growth of iPads and phones as the primary compute platform for the younger generations.
    - flukus 5y ago
      Much like the Amish will probably have a community mobile phone rather than a personal one a good middle ground for the rest of us could be public libraries. Government services and banking typically don't need frequent access so you don't need a personal internet connection just for them. I'm ashamed to admit I didn't think of this earlier recently when I needed some printing/scanning done. I went and bought a cheap hp cloud printing (they don't even come with cables anymore) abomination. After trying to get that to work, screwing around with HP accounts, configuring a cloud printer from a linux desktop, installing an app on my phone, etc I ended up going to the local library and got it all done in 30 minutes It was cheaper, easier and better option for something I need to do a few times a year.
      - Mediterraneo10 5y ago
        The problem with recommending public libraries is that government and banking services may require specifically a mobile app on one’s phone, not a website that can be used from any library computer.
    - 5y ago
  - xnyan 5y ago
    In addition to what the other responder said (the Amish generally have some tech stashed away for use when necessary), a part of being Amish is being part of a community of other Amish people. Just like in a Orthodox Jewish community you will see Sabbath mode elevators on Saturday, Amish communities have access to services that bridge the internet and their moral code. There are services that will print stuff from the internet and have it sent to you, or an outsider accountant that manage your internet-accessible financial services. They are not really cutting the internet or its consequences from their life but rather in some cases cutting out their direct interaction with the internet.
- IncRnd 5y ago
  > we have to learn to live meaningfully, with the internet being now an inalienable part of our lives. The Internet isn't what gives meaning to life.
MomoXenosaga 5y ago
And this is why Argentina is an economic wonder.
- astrange 5y ago
  They used to be (around the 20s maybe?) At this point I'm not at all sure what people do or make there except they eat a lot of beef.

Koshkin 5y ago

I get what you are saying, but we have to learn to live meaningfully, with the internet being now an inalienable part of our lives.

Retric 5y ago
Why? The Amish are the extreme example, but you can minimize or even cut out the internet from your life if you want to.
- Mediterraneo10 5y ago
  In Europe, more and more banks have been slashing opening hours and the number of clerks at physical locations, or even closing locations outright, because customers are expected to do nearly everything through online banking. Many forms of interaction with the state require using their online portal, and even if you visit the government office, they may just show you how to do what you need through the online portal instead of helping you directly. Programs to assist people who do not have a phone and internet, now focus on giving those people a phone and internet; there simply isn’t willingness to make technology optional for that tiny demographic that eschews internet use. Yes, the Amish have managed in the USA so far, but I think that even those days are numbered. Just as many Amish already own mobile phones, though they limit their use and keep them stashed away most of the time, they will be forced to do online things, too.
  - swiley 5y ago
    Having grown up here I think a lot of people would freak out if you had to use computers for services. The town I grew up in doesn't even let you pay taxes online in 2021.
    - anthk 5y ago
      Also not a lot of old people is computer savy in Europe. And by old I mean > 55-60.
      - dagw 5y ago
        I saw some article suggesting that actual computer savviness is on the decline among people under 18 as well due to the growth of iPads and phones as the primary compute platform for the younger generations.
  - flukus 5y ago
    Much like the Amish will probably have a community mobile phone rather than a personal one a good middle ground for the rest of us could be public libraries. Government services and banking typically don't need frequent access so you don't need a personal internet connection just for them. I'm ashamed to admit I didn't think of this earlier recently when I needed some printing/scanning done. I went and bought a cheap hp cloud printing (they don't even come with cables anymore) abomination. After trying to get that to work, screwing around with HP accounts, configuring a cloud printer from a linux desktop, installing an app on my phone, etc I ended up going to the local library and got it all done in 30 minutes It was cheaper, easier and better option for something I need to do a few times a year.
    - Mediterraneo10 5y ago
      The problem with recommending public libraries is that government and banking services may require specifically a mobile app on one’s phone, not a website that can be used from any library computer.
  - 5y ago
- xnyan 5y ago
  In addition to what the other responder said (the Amish generally have some tech stashed away for use when necessary), a part of being Amish is being part of a community of other Amish people. Just like in a Orthodox Jewish community you will see Sabbath mode elevators on Saturday, Amish communities have access to services that bridge the internet and their moral code. There are services that will print stuff from the internet and have it sent to you, or an outsider accountant that manage your internet-accessible financial services. They are not really cutting the internet or its consequences from their life but rather in some cases cutting out their direct interaction with the internet.
IncRnd 5y ago
> we have to learn to live meaningfully, with the internet being now an inalienable part of our lives. The Internet isn't what gives meaning to life.

MomoXenosaga 5y ago

And this is why Argentina is an economic wonder.

astrange 5y ago
They used to be (around the 20s maybe?) At this point I'm not at all sure what people do or make there except they eat a lot of beef.