Where do young people get their news these days? The Internet. What about research, where do they go? Do they go to libraries? Are you kidding? They go to Wikipedia and it’s all in the Internet.
There was a time when doing business means leaving your brochures with the prospect but today, they ask you: “Where is your web site so I can take a look at the products you are selling?” I feel uneasy every time I leave the house and forget to bring my cell phone with me. Today it’s the same familiar feeling I have in my guts every time I go somewhere and cannot find any WI-FI or Access to the Internet. Popular speaker Dr. Dennis Waitley says: “If you are not on-line, then you will be on the food line.” And somehow this is true. But is the Internet taking over our life? Has the Internet moved us away from quality living? Well….let’s see. Addicts and junkies say, “I am not addicted…I could quit anytime.” I hear the same words coming from people whose laptop are connected to the Net all the time. “I am not addicted to the Internet, I can quit anytime.”
Then I suppose you are brave enough to take the Internet Pledge if you happen to be one of the people I mentioned? The Internet Pledge is a cute material credited to anonymity.
Don’t take this seriously but it does make a lot of sense. So raise up your right hand and repeat after me as you take the Internet Pledge:
1. I will have a cup of coffee in the morning and read my newspaper like I used to, before the Web.
2. I will eat breakfast with a knife and fork and not with one hand typing.
3. I will get dressed before noon.
4. I will make an attempt to clean the house, wash clothes, and plan dinner before even thinking of the Web.
5. I will sit down and write a letter to those unfortunate few friends and family that are Web-deprived.
6. I will call someone on the phone who I cannot contact via the Web.
7. I will read a book…if I still remember how.
8. I will listen to those around me and their needs and stop telling them to turn the TV down so I can hear the music on the Web.
9. I will not be tempted during TV commercials to check for email. I was told that two dogs were walking down the street. Then one dog says to the other, “Wait here a minute, I’ll be right back.” He walks across the street and sniffs this fire hydrant for about a minute, then walks back across the street. The other dog says, “What was that about?” The first dog says, “I was just checking my messages.”
10. I will try and get out of the house at least once a week, if it is necessary or not.
11. I will remember that my bank is not forgiving if I forget to balance my checkbook because I was too busy on the Web.
12. Last, but not least, I will remember that I must go to bed sometime… and the Web will always be there tomorrow!
The whole world today is driven by technology. And it actually is a wonderful world. I love technology but technology is my friend and not my master. The idea is not to shun technology but to use it properly. It is no longer a proud statement to say, “Why, I still do not know how to use email…” You feel like saying, “Hey grandpa, they’ve got sound in movies now you know!”
Use technology and do not let it use you. A lady came to the hospital to visit a friend. She had not been in a hospital for several years and felt very ignorant about all the new technology. A technician followed her onto the elevator, wheeling a large, intimidating looking machine with tubes and wires and dials. “Boy, would I hate to be hooked up to that thing,” she said. “So would I,” replied the technician. “It’s a floor-cleaning machine.” That’s what happens if you are technology challenged.
VERY NICE USEFUL ARTICLE! I AM AN INTERNET ADDICT; I WILL TRY TO FOLLOW THE TIPS OF THIS GREAT ARTICLE. BTW PLS. VISIT THIS FANTASTIC CHRISTIAN SITE http://CORNELBONGCO.COM
great list, although for number one– what if my newspaper is “yahoo news” and for no. 11 what if my bank is online? 🙂 cheers!
Hi Francis, great fun article! Like you, I’m an internet junkie myself and I could really use the list that you put together. However, I don’t 100% agree for item #1. I think that reading a newspaper is archaic and less efficient. I have completely turned my back on newspaper long time ago and use my RSS reader (and lately twitter!) for news. IMHO, reading news on your laptop for is already a norm these days. Thanks for the great read and keep it coming!
Thanks bro, nice one!
Keep it coming…
Thanks+Best regards
haha! that was funny Mr.Kong but it sure hurts.
I’m using the internet all the time (thanks to mobile technology) alternately checking my two emails accounts, facebook, multiply and twitter.
Last week being strongly convicted that internet was running our life, my friends and I decided to fast facebook for the entire week and to spend the freed up time to have quiet time.
The results were amazing! Some of us were able to finish four books of the Bible while others engaged in personal development (all of us consistently did our qt).
We should always take time to pause and evaluate whats really important otherwise we will be pursuing things that have little value in the long run.
Your posts reminds us those kinds of things Mr.Kong keep it up. GOD BLESS YOU!
Hi, Sir. I’m a college student and I’ve been to some of the talks you’ve given here in Davao. I found a link to this page of yours through a message my church’s facebook account gave me. My eyes are opened. I’ve been running to the net for solace most of the time now. Waiting for foreign friends to go online and all. And, true, I have been neglecting most of the daily needs [e.g. breakfast, eating at the table and not at the computer table…] because of the Web. Thanks so much for this reminder. :3 Hope to read more. :3 Thanks again and God bless. :3
Thanks. 🙂 I’m off facebook for awhile and took steps to be a man. (hehehe) It consumes a lot of my time. Now i can get to what really matters: Reading this article and keeping in touch with my family. God bless you brother Francis. I hope to see you in person just say my sincere “Thank you” to you.
I suddenly feel old fashioned. Except for the fact I don’t watch tv often and read the newspapers, I spend time talking to my wife. I got all those down to pat. I tend to surf the net during the slow times at work when I can refresh my thoughts whilst working…
“I will try and get out of the house at least once a week, if it is necessary or not.”
I agree! I am working on a home-based type of job so I always make time to go out, eat and relax on weekends. Interacting with humans and society and getting the sunshine on my skin is really necessary 🙂 lol
It’s great receiving inspirational thoughts from time to time especially from friends. my husband also sends me thoughts he received. it just disappoints me that my spouse doesn’t apply the thoughts by heart. he spends most of his time using the computer/internet and has less time for his family.:-(
thanks …i’ll share this to my friends…
godbless…
more power…
let’s try not to be ignorant..but, first ask if you don’t know anything.remember,it makes u wise when u ask.
hahahahahahaaa…bato bato sa langit ang tamaan “aray”.. this makes a lot of sense to me…. Thank u Sir Francis..
i agree…not to be too hooked with the internet. but somehow it does a big help as in saving papers, time etc…instead of sending printed documents, just send ’em thru email or the outlook express in LAN offices. But never fail to do other things just because you are on-line. There are more important things to do other than getting hooked on the internet.
This is a wake up call to most…thanks.
I can’t really consider myself as an addict to internet but I believe I am one of those who can’t sleep at night without looking at something from the net especially on facebook. Idk why i was hooked to this social netwoking sites, maybe because every time i get bored the first thing that enters my mind is to post a status on my wall (something i am fun of doing). this really helps on realizing that i was actually displacing some of my routines.
i hope the current and the next generation will not totally soaked up their life to the ocean of Internet… 🙁
Life unfortunately between now until the next discovery will revolve around the Internet and this is a reality we all have to face. Have a Blessed New Year!
Hehe, but my hobby is collecting business cards. Surprising no has business cards anymore, its just been 3 years…
Yes. Things do change fast.
I’ve always been a fan of you Sir! 🙂
Thank you for the inspring words/qoutations!
You are most welcome.
I discovered your blog website on google and test a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the excellent operate. I just further up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Looking for ahead to studying more from you later on!?
thank you so much for your encouragement. appreciate your kindness.