Would you vote to switch off the WWW?

[HenaLorne]

Just a lighthearted thread based on a dream I had..

..but if there was a worldwide referendum where everyone was polled if they wanted the internet and all IP technology/WiFi permanently switched off/destroyed forever which way would you vote?

Perhaps in my naivety I have this idea that it would drive people back to interacting more and lead to less social isolation. Nothing would have to be pre-booked online. Libraries would be more important. No more young children watching endless YouTube.

Of course it would slow down useful collaboration in many areas and limit communication in other ways.

It's a mad though but ..
would you vote ON or OFF?

I don't know how to do that!

I think it has to be in AIBU. It would be so interesting though.

This.

x100.

In buckets.

You wouldn't be able to keep the good bits" , it's all or nothing.

For me I would probably switch OFF!

I know it would affect the word economy but I kind of believe in what they call de-growth for the sake of the planet. (That's a separate kettle of fish!)

In that case, off. We managed before, and could use the time to plan a better internet lifestyle in case internet came back.

It would surely much reduce sharing and propagation of CSA images and other dark exploitative stuff, porn etc

Too many people are addicted. There would be chaos. Not to mention all of the jobs that rely on it now.

Horse has bolted as has been said. Just resist getting it implanted in your head when that comes about.

No switch off.

It's no different to suggesting we ban TV and destroy all TV sets, or start burning books and banning the teaching of reading. Regressive, reactionary, backwards nonsense.

Sure, there are some purposes the internet is used for which are less than wholesome, but the same can also be said for TV, Film, and anything in a written format.

The vast majority of use of the WWW is informative, helpful, educational, recreational, a communication tool, or an aid to day-to-day life tasks. Switching it off would be a needless act of Luddism. Certain SM sites really need to up their game with moderation, but when capitalist societies allow ownership by single individuals with an agenda, you'll always have gimps like Musk punting their own twisted view of the world to try and manipulate the narrative, but again, that's always been the case with film and print media too.

On, it is just a tool, can be used for good or bad. There was just as much porn and abuse before the internet. I think there is a higher chance of catching offenders with a digital footprint.

Although I voted to keep it on I do also agree with this. The internet is useful and great for when you need to complete a task as it’s essentially providing a service to assist. Once it gives individuals a veil to hide behind problems seem to arise, plus obviously the circulation of things that just aren’t appropriate.

No thanks.
In the past 24 hours I have used the internet to .....
Book Uber to get my daughter to her SEN school.
Book Uber to get home from school.
Do an Iceland food order because I can't physically carry my shopping home.
Order KFC (if we went to the actual takeaway it would be cold by the time we get home).
Communicate with my hobby group.
Check the time of the next bus.
Check my bank account (no branch near where I live).
Check several local cinema listings.
Chat on Mumsnet.
Chat on my Facebook groups.
And probably more.......
The internet makes my life so much more convenient.

Well the rot started with the printing press, maybe we should get rid of that too?

The off to SM posts are funny. Since Mumsnet is a form of SM.

So no online banking or online shopping, no MN, no WFM, no schooling online, no tv streaming, no booking appointments, no facetiming, no social media or online dating?

on
couldn't do my work without without a massive ballache.
(I remember the days of office presence, wet signatures, fax machines...) no way do I want to go back to that.

The irony has been noted already.

Off with it's head! Although I would miss mumsnet.

Also I would not see any kittens without the internet.
I need kittens daily.

I presume MN is considered social but would it come under media?

On. I wouldn't want to do my job without emails, access to online resources (I'm a researcher), video calls, shared documents.

@Edingril the non forum bits of Mumsnet are just an online magazine aren't they?
So yes.....media.

Interesting to read…
Surely the lack of local bank branches is because to the Internet?
And cold KFC is scraping the barrel a little :)

Yeah, I wouldn't be able to do my job as we predominantly work online.
Also wouldn't be able to book flights or train tickets to see my family easily, or browse hotels for holidays.

Like others, social media and illegal all off but keep www

If we turned it off there obviously wouldn't be a horse at all