Comments on: Maybe the internet is a little bit useful after all

By: Audrey

Audrey — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:37:27 +0000

And we don’t even Facebook or Twitter!

By: Dad

Dad — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:05:34 +0000

HAHA twice to you Audrey. It sounds like it was a pretty good exercise to be without a computer for a few days. Maybe our computer should “break” for a few days! I think you have a very good thing going there Ruthie with the controls you have put in place. I need to revisit all this again this summer and figure out what is helpful, what is not, and especially what is dangerous (given our kids changing ages) going forward.

By: Ruthie

Ruthie — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:27:41 +0000

Hi Luke, it was actually Henry David Thoreau who made that comment, not Neil, although he quoted it in his book.

And Audrey – haha about the withdrawl….yes, the computer, and all that comes with it, can be addicting. I check email and this blog usually in the morning as well as do all of my banking online. I have to turn off the computer so that I have to think twice about getting back on it. I also have every computer password protected so that the kids can’t just get on whenever they feel like it…they have to ask and I do have to heavily monitor their use and time on it.

By: Audrey

Audrey — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:17:07 +0000

How timely! We lost our internet connection a week ago due to an electrical storm and lightening strike. Today it has been restored (duh, obviously!) I found the week to be much like (I imagine) withdrawal from any addictive substance to be. First the lack of internet was all I thought about (and complained about) then I tried escapism (hello old box of Louis L’Amour books.) But, very interestingly, I found myself thinking more clearly and having TONS of extra time on my hands. We have even been on time every where we’ve gone this week! I’m not ready to go totally offline, but this week has been a HUGE eye opener to me.

By: Dad

Dad — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:01:37 +0000

Your preaching to the converted on the connection to the world thing. We talk to Grandma in Mexico via Skype, write the blog so they can know what is going on, talk missionaries in Haiti and Poland, etc., etc. I guess there were a bunch of good things that went down those Roman roads along with the bad.

On another note, I surely hope I figure out that Twitter thing someday.

By: Luke Holzmann

Luke Holzmann — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:30:10 +0000

[laughing] You can’t argue with free wearable stuff.

While I have much respect for Postman, and from what I’ve heard of him he has great insights, I do question his assumption that different parts of the world have “nothing important to communicate.” I think that is highly flawed. Sure, the “globalization” of things may not be the best, but a broader view of the world is a very good thing. Beyond this, just one example, I’ve often heard that Jesus came at a great time because the Roman Roads were in place and so it ended up being easier to travel and spread the Gospel. Connection across the world can be a wonderful thing…

Granted, it can also be a complete waste of time–especially tools that are misused simple to be “with it” (I’m looking at you, Twitter).

~Luke