Poll: Do you ever just want to disconnect?

[Anonymoustache]

It's a beautifully sunny day, there's a wonderful cool breeze, the temperature's not too hot, not too cold. It's just light enough that my pale excuse for skin would take a fair while (two minutes) to burn, and yet I'm sitting inside.
I'm spending my day on Bookface and Twitwall and numerous other websites including this one, rather than outside or at the beach, getting more freckles and salt water up my nose.
This depresses me.
It's not like I want to be inside, but my will to be outside is outweighed by the crushing, constant need for online conversation.
I need to see the small red flag that pops up when someone validates my online existence.

So I've started to think, what if I just got rid of it all? What if I deactivated my online accounts, deleted my messenger programs and unplugged my computer and consoles? Could I actually succeed in doing this?
Could any of you do it?
Also the first person to mention the irony of complaining about this online gets a boot to the kidneys.

 

[AvsJoe]

I get forced to go offline and without electronic gadgets often enough. I can do it pretty easily for short periods of time and I believe I can do without for the rest of my life if I had to.

However...

I wouldn't want to. I *hate* going without the 'Net, or without a portable music or movie player (both of with I do not have right now). I am a Gen X'er born during the information age; computers and electronics are my identity.

 

[lithiumvocals]

I totally do that all the time. I'm usually high, but...

No, seriously, I like disconnecting. And being high. ; )

 

[Anonymoustache]

I get forced to go offline and without electronic gadgets often enough. I can do it pretty easily for short periods of time and I believe I can do without for the rest of my life if I had to.

However...

I wouldn't want to. I hate going without the 'Net, or without a portable music or movie player (both of with I do not have right now). I am a Gen X'er born during the information age, computers and electronics are my identity.

I'm Gen X too and it saddens me how connected we are to our gadgets. I can't get in contact with my friends by any other means than Facebook now, and I want to be able to call them or message them but it's just not a convenient method anymore. Why text for .10c when you can Facebook message for free, right?
I miss the good old days of riding my bike over to my friend's house and playing games in their yard. Now you need six days of organising to even consider it, and even then all you do is sit inside and drink or watch movies.

 

[fenderstrat]

sure, for me is necessary, and i do it often. or at least i try!

 

[SimuLord]

Do I love to go offline? FUCK AND YES. Nothing more relaxing than just putting the tech away and going outside in the warm Wasteland sunshine.

 

[zombiesinc]

I think the withdrawals would be a *****.

I s'pose I could do it, if I had to, but I really don't see myself ever wanting to. I admit that I should spend less time in front of my computer or the TV, but I don't think cutting myself off entirely would really do me any good.

But I kick myself just as much when I'm sitting inside, during a beautiful, sunny and warm day.

 

[Anonymoustache]

I think the withdrawals would be a *****.

I s'pose I could do it, if I had to, but I really don't see myself ever wanting to. I admit that I should spend less time in front of my computer or the TV, but I don't think cutting myself off entirely would really do me any good.

But I kick myself just as much when I'm sitting inside, during a beautiful, sunny and warm day.

I'm terrible at kicking habits slowly, I'd need to cut myself off completely and then slowly re-introduce it if need be. So perhaps go online for an hour every second day or something.

 

[stutheninja]

i really do fine outside, but only if i have a good reason to go, like running with a friend or getting a rugby game together. i still end up spend quite a bit of time indoors though but wouldn't go so far as to say that i NEED this to go on, but i would be extremely heartbroken to lose all my electronics/stuff. but thats why i'm best prepared for zombie apocalypse when it hits, no attachments to stuff.

EDIT: well, i do have attachments, just not strong ones.

 

[teisjm]

Sure i could, not that i'd need to.
When i visit facebook, it's just to see if someone is trying to get hold of me through that, so i check for personal messages (those sent to me) and events (the majoity of my friends ahve decided, that parties are announced solely on facebook, which was the reason i got it in the first place)
I don't browse peopels updates and stuff, unless i'm really really bored, in which case i'd much rather go here and talk about video games, instead of reading about how someone just drank a nice cup of orange soda, and wonder why tahts worth broadcasting to everyone they know.
Also, most opf teh time i'm here, on the escapist forums is when i'm at work and has nothing to do (and thats most of the time at work) When i'm home and unleashing the beast (my pc u perv, i'm talking bout my pc) i prefer to play games, rather than be on online social sites, and more often than not, i'm on ventrillo playing online with my friends.

Are you sure you really want to be outsite? you don't sound like it, and given that you choose online communities over sun-burns, i'd say you prefer it taht way, and whats making you doubt it is other peoples excpectations for you to go outside and not be a basement-dweller.
Consider whether you actually want it more than your online thingy, cause if you really did, i can't understand why you're not outside.

 

[Betancore]

It's a beautifully sunny day, there's a wonderful cool breeze, the temperature's not too hot, not too cold. It's just light enough that my pale excuse for skin would take a fair while (two minutes) to burn, and yet I'm sitting inside.

I was about to ask if you were in Australia, because that sounds like the weather right here. Turns out you are. It really is a nice day, isn't it?

I don't think it's necessary to disconnect completely, but it is important to realise that there is a world outside of the internet, and it's equally important to experience it, rather than just sitting in front of a screen all the time. I wouldn't have any problem disconnecting completely from the internet right now. I have many other things in real life to occupy me. Might be a bit troubling to stop using my computer for gaming, though. I would probably cry for a little while. A couple of years ago, I was really addicted to the internet. No one else was. Now, everyone else is really into the internet. And for me, well, I don't even use Facebook.

It helps to have friends who won't take no for an answer. Maybe you should find someone to help you. If it's too hard to turn off your computer, or log off, then get someone else to do it. Make sure they're the persistent type, who won't accept excuses. Because you don't really need it, and you won't die without it. Once your computer's off, you'll probably get bored and want to go outside and do something. Alternatively, you could just sit and twiddle your thumbs for a bit. That's fun too. Even going for a quick walk is great. Enjoy the weather while it lasts. It's probably going to get much hotter.

 

[HT_Black]

It's Autumn time around here right now, and let me put it simply: there's nothing short of a life-threatening asthma attack that can convince me to stay indoors at a time like this. It's not too hot, it's nice and cool, the leaves are green but turning amber, the air smells like October given form, and a night like this is better than Christmas when I was five.

 

[Anonymoustache]

Sure i could, not that i'd need to.
When i visit facebook, it's just to see if someone is trying to get hold of me through that, so i check for personal messages (those sent to me) and events (the majoity of my friends ahve decided, that parties are announced solely on facebook, which was the reason i got it in the first place)
I don't browse peopels updates and stuff, unless i'm really really bored, in which case i'd much rather go here and talk about video games, instead of reading about how someone just drank a nice cup of orange soda, and wonder why tahts worth broadcasting to everyone they know.
Also, most opf teh time i'm here, on the escapist forums is when i'm at work and has nothing to do (and thats most of the time at work) When i'm home and unleashing the beast (my pc u perv, i'm talking bout my pc) i prefer to play games, rather than be on online social sites, and more often than not, i'm on ventrillo playing online with my friends.

Are you sure you really want to be outsite? you don't sound like it, and given that you choose online communities over sun-burns, i'd say you prefer it taht way, and whats making you doubt it is other peoples excpectations for you to go outside and not be a basement-dweller.
Consider whether you actually want it more than your online thingy, cause if you really did, i can't understand why you're not outside.

I did mention that I was completely unable to break myself away from the online communities because that's the only way to contact people.
I don't actually like being inside, it's boring and dim and so lonely.
I say that about the stuff outside because it's true. Eating bad food makes me gain weight but it's still enjoyable to eat.
Going outside gets me sunburned but I still enjoy going outside.
It's because I'm forced to contact people online that I don't go outside often enough. If I weren't so attached to my friends I'd be outside all day.

 

[2fish]

You want me to go where? Out there with the masses of potential infections, illnesses and other putrid beings? You want me to talk to people that have different hobbies that I cannot T-bag? I am not sure what to say to you?

Ok I have done it before, I will do it again. I don't mind it, I mean I go out and play basketball once a week with people. For me it is mostly a lack of transportation that keeps me from going places, well that and lack of places I really want to go. I have been here long enough to get bored of all the stuff here and my favorite places keep going out of business.

I wouldn't delete all my stuff though; just make a no interwebz day. You know go stalk people in the park or something.

 

[Anonymoustache]

You want me to go where? Out there with the masses of potential infections, illnesses and other putrid beings? You want me to talk to people that have different hobbies that I cannot T-bag? I am not sure what to say to you?

Ok I have done it before, I will do it again. I don't mind it, I mean I go out and play basketball once a week with people. For me it is mostly a lack of transportation that keeps me from going places, well that and lack of places I really want to go. I have been here long enough to get bored of all the stuff here and my favorite places keep going out of business.

I wouldn't delete all my stuff though; just make a no interwebz day. You know go stalk people in the park or something.

Stalking people is fun.
If I could go anywhere right now it'd be to the beach, or pool.
Or to London, but I always want to go there.

 

[Paksenarrion]

Join the Marines as a grunt. You'd have no choice but to disconnect.

 

[teisjm]

Sure i could, not that i'd need to.
When i visit facebook, it's just to see if someone is trying to get hold of me through that, so i check for personal messages (those sent to me) and events (the majoity of my friends ahve decided, that parties are announced solely on facebook, which was the reason i got it in the first place)
I don't browse peopels updates and stuff, unless i'm really really bored, in which case i'd much rather go here and talk about video games, instead of reading about how someone just drank a nice cup of orange soda, and wonder why tahts worth broadcasting to everyone they know.
Also, most opf teh time i'm here, on the escapist forums is when i'm at work and has nothing to do (and thats most of the time at work) When i'm home and unleashing the beast (my pc u perv, i'm talking bout my pc) i prefer to play games, rather than be on online social sites, and more often than not, i'm on ventrillo playing online with my friends.

Are you sure you really want to be outsite? you don't sound like it, and given that you choose online communities over sun-burns, i'd say you prefer it taht way, and whats making you doubt it is other peoples excpectations for you to go outside and not be a basement-dweller.
Consider whether you actually want it more than your online thingy, cause if you really did, i can't understand why you're not outside.

I did mention that I was completely unable to break myself away from the online communities because that's the only way to contact people.
I don't actually like being inside, it's boring and dim and so lonely.
I say that about the stuff outside because it's true. Eating bad food makes me gain weight but it's still enjoyable to eat.
Going outside gets me sunburned but I still enjoy going outside.
It's because I'm forced to contact people online that I don't go outside often enough. If I weren't so attached to my friends I'd be outside all day.

My point was, that i really don't belive the "unable to" part.
We're unable to walk on mars, baecause we don't have the technology and we (me and you) are prolly never gonan get the training
We're unable to lift a truck (i am, dunno bout you but i guess) cause we lack the strentgh
We would be unable to go outside if we were tied to the chair, or had no legs or something, but seeing how thats not teh case (unless i missed something in a post) we ARE able, it's only a matter of choosing to do so.
Am i outside? no, cause honestly, i find the outside to be a cold and booring place, without much to do, and i prefer indoor activities, so i stay inside most of the time.

What i fail to understand is how you "completely unable to break yourself away from the online comunnitties" You can choose to turn off the computer, and walk outside, i bet you do turn it off and go to sleep sometimes, i bet you do leave it when you have to go to the bathroom, nothing is restraining you, but your own choice to keep sitting in front of it. And our choices are something we controll ourselves, sadly a lot of people choose to make as little choices as possible.

Since you just repsonded, i'm assumign you're here, so think about what i wrote, and go outside RIGHT NOW, if nothign more, just for 5-10 minnute walk, and think about a good response or something, i'd liek to hear some better explanation to the lione quoted above ("completely unable to...") for the sake of my own curriossity, if you care to answer, if not, thats fine as well.

 

[Ninonybox_v1legacy]

how about just not going on your consoles or computor...you don't have to kill them off.

 

[Kimarous]

About a month and a half ago, my computer was having trouble and ended up incapacitated for about two weeks. It... was... hell...