Before answer today’s prompt, I want to make a note of the fact that today is Memorial Day here in America. Historically, it is a day to pay tribute to those men and women who gave their lives defending this country. Unofficially, it is the start of summer in America here as well. But I still have two weeks of school left, but I digress.
I am 50 and the Internet has been a part of this world for roughly half of my life. Still, sometimes it is hard for me to remember what life was like before the Internet.
I was in college when I had heard a few was my friends were attending school at Michigan State were getting assignments given to them by the professors via email.
Until this point, we were still doing everything on paper. We’re buying a checking out hardcopy books from the library. Old newspaper in articles to be either via hardcopy or printed from microfilm and microfiche.
At this point, we are still registering for classes, either with academic advisor, or stay in line. In fact, I remember the very first semester in which my college enabled students to register for classes over the telephone. 
I remember filling out deposit slips and withdrawal slips from my bank by hand, and getting carbon copies of them as a form of receipt.
We discovered music via MTV, the radio, or word of mouth. If we want to amass a music collection, CD clubs like Columbia house or BMG were our best option.
I remember standing in line or even camping out in some instances, to guarantee a chance to get tickets for my favorite concert. And speaking of tickets, the actual paper tickets which we got were surefire souvenirs from concerts as well as sporting events.
We have access to much more information, and at a much faster speed, than we did in the days before the Internet. But at the same time, social media has exacerbated some of the absolute worst qualities of humanity. Because of our 24 seven news media and social media, we have this notion in our heads that are somehow even more despicable than they’ve ever been. This isn’t the case. The problem is that we hear so much more about the negative aspects of humanity than we ever did before. We, as a species, are just as good – and just as bad – as we have ever been.
But even I must admit that I’m a sucker for those videos of people doing nice things for each other. 
Thanks for stopping by Rebuilding Rob. Be sure to like, comment and subscribe to my blog below. It’s greatly appreciated! Also, feel free to follow me on social media as well! Check out my most recent posts as well as some earlier, related posts:
- Thoughts that keep me up at night
- Requiem for a mall
- what makes a great teacher
- The O.R. Virgin
- A Day in the Life of Rob
The article “The Days Before” first appeared on Rebuilding Rob
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