Oh boy. I just read the other day that there are over 10 million bloggers on the globe. This of course was another reminder for me that our seo blog still has only one post- from April. See, the problem with writing or reading blogs, visiting social networking sites and You Tube is that if I were so inclined to visit regularly, they would suck away my precious time. With three small children, and a flourishing web business I do not fall into the category of someone with entirely too much time on my hands. I am constantly amazed and perplexed by the amount of time people spend creating, posting, viewing, writing and reviewing products with no obvious reward except a rare chance for 5 seconds of fame or a number one ranking on Google for your name or your blog's name.
I am often tempted to say that the social aspects of the internet are trends that will inevitably fade away once people realize that they are a complete waste of time. After all, who is driving this web 2.0 gravy train? It's the youth-right? My 11 year old is the only one I know who has the time to sit and watch videos on You Tube for 3 hours straight. All the adults are working, or cleaning the house, cooking the meals, reading something or watching TV. What's going to happen when my son is 25 and working full time? Will he still be entertained by online video and meet his friends on the latest version of Club Penguin? The answer I'm afraid, is yes.
All over again, I am blown away by the power of the internet. For ten years, I have had an intimate relationship with computers and search engines. I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about how our clients can use their website to generate more business and make more money. I also bank and make most of my major purchases online. I love the internet because it's quick and makes my life infinitely easier and more efficient. What's for dinner? I dunno- Google the fridge. How the hell do you cut a mango? Google it. What kind of motorcycle should I get? Let's research.
I have not, however, used my computer or the internet for entertainment. I simply don't have time. When I want to relax, I read books and magazines, and have precious little time for even that. I don't care much for TV or movies but If I'm interested in numbing my mind, I watch reruns of 'Friends' with my husband and we laugh together. Mostly, I enjoy drinking wine with my friends- talking about anything. I also like to be outside in the fresh air. It doesn't ever occur to me to go online for fun. My friends aren't there. I'm the only one I know (over the age of 20) with a myspace page (and I only did that for "work research"). I can't find the time to leave feedback no less review a movie or suggest a product. I can't imagine thinking up and producing a video to post just for the heck of it- and I need a second ME, not a second life! What folly!
My son sometimes uses the internet like I do. We get a package of Yu-Gi-Oh cards from e-bay sellers all over the country almost every week. He is saavy about researching anything that catches his interest, and he knows the right keyword phrases to use to yield excellent results. But, give him a choice between TV and the computer- he will choose the computer every time. "TV's boring". To his credit, he also likes to read and play outside. But he will only pick up a book after his 'screen time' is up and the computer seems to have a magnetic pull causing him to sneek in from outside when we aren't looking.
I wonder what his life is going to be like once he is out of the house. Will he and his friends be constantly online? Will life for these kids consist of computers at work, computers to manage your life, computers for socializing and computers for entertainment? It seems out of wack and out of balance to me. How many industries and practices will cease to exist as a result of the internet? The web has already killed the music business. (Good riddance, I say-) Television is predicted to be next. Kids reluctantly play outside as the lure of the screen is too powerful. In many places people don't feel safe walking or biking. Kids sit around together texting other kids. They actually prefer texting to talking on the phone. Is this strange only to me? Doesn't it take more time to type a conversation than it does to speak it? How much nuance in human communication is lost when you don't see or hear a person speaking? Is LOL contagious?
When we started in this business it was still in it's infancy and we loved the wild-west feel of the world wide web. We knew we were involved in something that would change the world. In so many ways, it has made life easier and given individuals the power of knowledge. Anyone with a computer and a connection has the ability to question, research and make informed decisions about anything. I love that.
By moving into the realm of entertainment, I'm afraid the internet might have finally crossed the line- possibly taking away quality of life rather than enhancing it. There is no way that doing everything in life through the same medium can be good. The brain should be exercised in many different ways. People need to be together in the same room. People need to be touched. I can't see people cuddling up and watching a movie on the computer. A computer is generally for one user at a time. There's nothing better than the feel and smell of a book, or the fact that you can recline completely while reading one. And what about actually hearing the laughter of friends and family-Or taking a walk around the block? Will there be time for that?
