Today, I have instant access to the internet.
That's amazing. The book I'm reading at the moment set in the nineties, where you had to dial-in and whilst on the internet, the land-line wouldn't work. I'm kind of on the cusp; I remember having to wait until 6pm to use the internet on a weekday, but broadband was widespread by the time I properly could make use of it. Of course, these people in the book are lucky, they have two phone lines, so you can be constantly on the internet on one, and use the other for calls. So modern! It would seem crazy but kids today don't even have the knowledge of a landline, which is almost crazier, so it almost wouldn't matter that the dial-up tied up your phone line, because, hey you have your mobile phone, what else do you need?
My power went out recently. My mobile was very low on battery, as was my laptop, 'cause I like to live life on the edge. But I could still call people on my old style non-cordless land-line. What kind of sorcery is that? Afterwards I googled my way to the reason as I kind of knew it to be true but was baffled by the idea. Basically, you do need electricity but only a very little and it's brought to your house by wires separate to the mains. It's still strange, though.
It's weird how easy it is to think about things without questioning the concept. Adults get way too accustomed things too readily without truly appreciating the wonder.
I hold the internet in my pocket, on a buttonless device that is smaller than my hand.
That's amazing.
Flitterbox: Philip Oakey and Giorgio Moroder - Together in Electric Dreams
Flitterbook: Going Out ~ Scarlett Thomas
There's a book I read with my year 9s, the plot of which hinges on a character having to wait until her family are asleep to go online, in case one of them picks up the phone, hears the engaged tone, and figures out what she's doing. Every year I have or explain the concept of dial-up internet to them.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to rediscover your blog! I knew immediately what book you were reading as I just finished it myself, which is a coincidence as it wasn't published recently. Did you enjoy it? I wasn't sure, though normally I love Scarlett Thomas...
ReplyDeleteClaire! Hi there! Are you no longer Routh? I'm not sure what I think about Scarlett Thomas, I've read three of her books and I liked the End of Mr. Y, was slightly dissatisfied by Bright Young Things (although enjoyed the concept) and I did like Going Out enough to speed read through, so I suppose that's something. Any of hers you would particularly recommend? I think this one was on offer for the e-book, hence deciding to try it out.
DeleteHey! Nope I got married last year and changed my name :)
DeleteYes I liked The End of Mr Y and also PopCo...would recommend that one.
Think I just found the ending of Going Out a little lame...
My current blog is at www.twopartridges.blogspot.com if you'd like to see what I've been up to :)
Wait until you start thinking about the fact that the device in your pocket can also, for free, access signals broadcast from space (with less power than an old-school light bulb) and pinpoint your location to less than 5 square metres out of an entire planet.
ReplyDelete