Could you survive without using the internet for a year?

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Over on The Verge Paul Miller announced that starting tonight he plans to leave the internet for a whole year. Read the article to see how to plans to do it.

The question which popped up in my head immediately is: How many of us here on Neowin could pull off a stunt like that? I'll be the first to admit that no, I could not. The internet is part of my lifestyle; suddenly having to go back to an 'analogue lifestyle' for a prolongued length of time would be impossible for me.

How about you, Neowinians? Could you pull the plug for an entire year?

[Lant]

Yes I could. Would I want to or enjoy doing so, no.

[riceBox]

Can't do it either. I would likely fail my academics since my professors prefer papers and software projects/assignments to be submitted online, and my Cisco exams are done online.

[Dot Matrix]

One does not simply leave the Internet.

[_neutrino Veteran]

As far as for my own use, Yes easily. I grew up on a farm and did not have constant internet connection until i moved to university. It would be difficult at first however, i can imagine it would go through smoothly after a few weeks.

[Max Norris]

A year? I couldn't go a day. Not some weird addiction thing.. just way too integrated into daily life.

[javagreen]

Yeah, I just read it over at the Verge.

As for me, nope, couldn't do it. :wacko:

[Blaze_Zewi]

To easy.....

[+jamesyfx Subscriber²]

I'm afraid I couldn't. Not for any personal reason, but that a lot of what I do at work uses the internet... e.g. stock file, important emails etc.

[Crisp]

If I won a trip to a small remote island where the sun always shines, with a beach, a few palm trees, a house and an unlimited supply of food / drink (alcoholic).

Then yes.

[mps69]

I'd like to think I could, but I doubt it, not without a large stash of magazines.

Plus I'd never be able to keep up with the news as quickly as I do at the moment.

[Nagisan]

If I had to, but I wouldn't do it by choice. Done it before so I know I can, now, if you take away computer and everything then I can't be sure I could make it a year.......even if it's making useless programs or playing old outdated games, I can entertain myself without internet, internet just makes it easier.

[Fraud OS 11]

Yes, as long as, everyone else also stops using it for one year. :)

[HSoft]

Poorly worded question. Of course you could survive without the internet. Food, water, shelter etc. are needed to survive, not the internet.

Now would it be a quality of life adjustment? Yes most probably for most people.

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

I was expecting this poll to be completely one-sided (on No), turns out I am wrong...

[The Teej]

I'd be so far behind on technology its unreal - having to rely on print for my information? Word of mouth? 8| 8| 8| 8| 8|

Plus my job kind of requires me to stay on the ball regarding technology and the other products we sell, plus a lot of my entertainment is derived from the internet (be it websites or internet-powered services like Netflix, Spotify, etc). It's way too integrated into my life now... not too sure if I could go without to be honest.

I mean, if I had to I guess I could, but I -really- wouldn't want to.

[Coi]

Survive I can, enjoy I cannot.

[firey]

I could survive. However with my job, and with the things in my life is too intertwined with the internet. If my job didn't rely on the internet for some of the things I do, I could probably do it, just be very bored lol.

[zeta_immersion]

Actually I could if given:

Women

Games

Pr0n Magazines

Scale models

A room in a tall building with floor-ceiling gass

Telescope

[+InsaneNutter MVC]

Could i survive without the internet? of course.

Would i want to? no.

I could happily go a year without watching broadcasted TV or even using a mobile phone if i had to. I could still do my job perfectly without them and not miss either if i had a computer and the internet.

Facebook / MSN would do for me instead of a phone, i already download my TV shows so wouldn't miss not been able to watch TV.

[ngc891]

I lived without internet access for 4 years when i got married... the week i left her I bought my current rig, everything was better again.