Alright people, let’s talk about a little thing that we call the Internet. Lately I have about HAD IT with the garbage that I come across on the web on a daily basis. When did we all become so gullible and naive? We are all smart people. I mean, let’s be honest. If you are reading this blog, you are obviously a very intelligent human being.
But seriously..when did we all start to believe everything we read? Like I always say, I am just as guilty. But NEWS FLASH, this is baaaddddd. Since the internet came into your life, have you really ever had a real opinion on something? That wasn’t persuaded by some bias blog that you read online? I never want to make this blog political, but if you know me at all, you know how I feel about the internet’s influence on medicine. Oh, and while we are on that, can we all be adults and stop posting Ebola jokes on Facebook?! We get it. You read the news. Congratulations! Now start taking this shit seriously. Plus, no one wants to hear another lame Walking Dead reference. And quite frankly, you should really do your research before making idiotic references.
RANT OVER. Sorry mom.
So basically I wanted to lay out the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly element that make up the internet.Because while my life would never be the same without Pinterest, it’s important to keep in mind that Wikipedia does not hold the answer to all of life’s secrets.
The Good
Convenience
Can you imagine life without Facebook or Instagram? A life where you would actually have to hang out with your friends to know what’s going on in their lives. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
Accessible
It’s so easy. Because I feel like being corny, “it’s only a click away”. Honestly, no one really has an excuse anymore. If you don’t have internet access, take your ass to a coffee shop for some free WiFi. The first few days of no cable/internet after moving into a new place are literally the saddest.
Free
Do I really have to explain this?
Entertaining
Don’t tell me I’m the only girl that gets on Pinterest when my boyfriend turns on a boring TV show. Or tell me why I think it’s okay to follow all of these celebrities as I if I actually know them? Because it’s f***ing entertaining, that’s why. It’s hilarious.
Informative (hm…. or so we think)
This invisible world full of knowledge. Who else has forgotten that Encyclopedias exist? I’ll never forget the professor that told me that Wikipedia actually is a reputable source. Yeah okay, you go tell The New England Journal of Medicine that (nerd joke). Seriously though. Do ya’ll even remember going to the library and using those little paper filing system things? Embarrassingly enough, I don’t even know what those are called. Sorry again, mom. I probably would have failed high school if it weren’t for the internet. Because once again, AIN’T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT.
The Bad
Depressing
Every now and then I get what I like to call “The Facebook Blues”. When you sign on and after about 30 minutes of “looking around”, you realize that you’re in a sour mood. Why is that? Because the internet has created this template for people to relay all of their FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS. I honestly look at statuses and think “no wonder everyone hates America”. And if the complaining doesn’t get to you, the vulgar “comment fighting” on every political post or video will. I mean damn, can we all just get along?!
Addicting
Babysitting is much more of a cush gig these days than it used to be. Why? Because you give a kid an iPhone or a computer and your job is done. It’s unbelievable how much time we all spend on the internet. For instance, checking you social media apps while in traffic. As if you’re going to miss out on some important piece of information by waiting 30 minutes to get home. But it’s so harrrddd.
Distracting
To the point where companies are having to put the obligatory “don’t get on Facebook at work” nonsense in the job description manual. What about when you get on your computer to do work, and you realize that an hour has gone by with zero progress. WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?! Google and their ever so clever seasonal games on the home page. Okay, but those games are fun.
The Ugly
Unreliable
People need to stop believing that everything they need to know will be provided to them on the web. This a no brainer guys. But we still do it! One day you might find what you need, and one day you might not. I mean damn, look at how unreliable weather.com is. Why do I even look? And I’m still always the girl who forgets her umbrella. I’m that girl.
Unaccountable
This is the whole reason I decided to write this blog. Hey man, if I can provide a public service announcement while being funny (or trying to be), might as well! I don’t know how to emphasize this enough…DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ OFF THE INTERNET! It’s not standardized. It’s BIAS. It’s unaccredited. It’s garbage half the time. Garbage coming from someone who decided to blog about something they have a strong opinion on, with little to no facts. I could literally write on my blog about a fake Ebola case in Austin, Tx, and I guarantee you somebody will share it on Facebook. Without second guessing any of it. Always second guess, people. Look further into it before you let it persuade you. You’re smarter than that. Don’t let the internet fool you.
Sorry if I annoyed you guys with my internet scolding, but I guess I decided to wear my MOM pants today. I mean, why not bring it up? I know we all are thinking it. But don’t get me wrong. I am VERY grateful for the internet. Because I can pay my bills online and watch Netflix. Oh, and online shop.
And lastly, a picture of a quiche my friend Irina made. She wanted me to blog about it. But that would have been hellah boring.
*Cheers*
xoxo, H