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Original poster

One year, no internet- what’s reasonable?

162 replies

Mustlovebronte · 24/12/2024 15:50

Hello and merry Christmas! I am thinking of quitting the internet for one year and pitching a non-fiction book/long form articles about the experience. This has been mulling in my head for the last few years and for different reasons 2025 would be an ideal time to do it. Similar to Ultra Processed People, I feel like companies have sucked us all into this insidious, life- sucking trap. I want to experience and write about the good, the bad, and the ugly of our digital world by using myself as a test subject (as well as getting expert opinion/latest research). My question is, if you were to pick up a book like this, would you expect the author to go offline completely and work around the inconveniences, or would you consider it reasonable that they checked their email and WhatsApp once per day (as an example). I am self employed but most customers email me which is something I would need to work around (and nothing's impossible). I guess I want to gauge what people would consider ‘cheating’. Thanks for reading and really looking forward to any opinions xx

OP posts:
mitogoshigg · 24/12/2024 15:57

If it's a book about no internet for a year then it needs to be zero use to be authentic, only checking once a day is what many people do anyway! I've been offline for a full week myself, none at all (transatlantic cruise) and if we book to Australia it will be 6 weeks unless I find a connection in South Africa briefly, so sorry no i wouldn't be interested in a half measure.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 24/12/2024 15:57

You’d have to stop all streaming services too. Terrestrial TV through an antenna only.

cuteyfluff · 24/12/2024 15:57

Offline completely. Totally. Never ever connecting anything to the Internet.

MumOfOneAllAlone · 24/12/2024 15:56

randomchap · 24/12/2024 15:53

Offline completely.

Otherwise you're just playing pretend.

There will be scenarios you won't think of, that will only occur if you're completely offline

Good luck with it

Edited

Yeah, agree here. It will be very difficult but if you're gonna do it, you'll have to go all the way, for people to take it seriously

When I worked in retail over a decade ago, I met a man who was refusing to use banks, following the credit crunch and government bail out. I thought he was mad but he was adamant. Girl... if you're sure you want to, then lean into it fully x

Dollshousedolly · 24/12/2024 15:55

I wouldn’t pick up the book either way. I’m aware of the downfalls of the internet, I know I rely on it too much at times. I know there is a happy medium. I’ve no interest in reading of someone else’s experience of limiting/not using the internet for a year.

FeegleFrenzy · 24/12/2024 15:55

I would say that email as a method of communication is different to internet browsing. I’d say checking emails is ok.

though obviously once you’re not on the internet for a year you won’t be able to ask Mumsnet such questions 😃. Or even use google maps! Or book flights easily! Or will there be a distinction between practical/useful internet use and mindless browsing?

P00hsticks · 24/12/2024 15:54

I'm not sure I'd be very interested in reading a book like that but to me, no internet means exactly that - so no e-mails, no Whatsapp etc.

EliCopter · 24/12/2024 15:54

And yes if you’re pitching a book about using the Internet for a year then that’s precisely what I would expect to read - checking emails and whatsapp even once a day would fly in the face of that.

GRex · 24/12/2024 15:54

Of course you can't check email off grid. You'll need an auto-reply with your landline phone number to call. You'll also need to turn every bill and statement back to paper. I don't know who would want to read the book, so check there's a market before wasting the year on it.

randomchap · 24/12/2024 15:53

Offline completely.

Otherwise you're just playing pretend.

There will be scenarios you won't think of, that will only occur if you're completely offline

Good luck with it

TeenToTwenties · 24/12/2024 15:53

If you are using email what are you quitting?

Just social media?
Online ordering?
What if you want to contact a utility company, or do your tax return?

EliCopter · 24/12/2024 15:53

As gently as possible, are you a journalist, academic or writer? Because unless you have a proven history in the field I don’t really see this being picked up. And Johan Hari did did something quite similar already.