Commentary on “50 things killed by the Internet” (Who ARE these idiots?!?)

The London Telegraph tossed their contribution to list mania out…and exposed the idiocy of their writers.

1) The art of polite disagreement

Actually, while anonymous flamers have given the internet a bad name, Facebook seems to have corrected that trend as “friends” connections based on schools, churches, etc, bring together politically diverse people, who inevitably opine about politics. If you respond rudely to someone you disagree with, they may just bump you off their friends’ list. I’ve read some of the most polite, calm and tempered political discussions I’ve ever seen or heard, just within the past few days as those who know little of politics offer observations based on watching too much national news (and being oblivious to how biased it is). The funny part is that Liberals are in a bit of a tizzy at not being able to control the communication between conservatives and semi-apathetic moderates, as well as not being able to call people names, for fear of exposing how shallow their arguments really are.

2) Fear that you are the only person unmoved by a celebrity's death

Seriously?!? After a week of mourning Michael Jackson followed by a week of mourning Ted Kennedy, I got the exact opposite impression. There are way too many people obsessed with celebrities.

3) Listening to an album all the way through

And that’s a bad thing?

4) Sarah Palin

Who are these idiots that write this stuff? Sarah Palin is as popular as she’s always been. Those who dislike her fall into two categories: 1. Liberals who hate all Conservatives and 2. Apathetic Moderates who base their opinion solely on what they see and hear on the (highly biased toward the left) evening news.

5) Punctuality

Not that I’ve seen. People are as early or late as they’ve always been.

6) Ceefax/Teletext

Who cares?

7) Adolescent nerves at first porn purchase

Really? I wouldn’t know. Again: Who are these idiots that write this stuff?

8) Telephone directories

Boo Frickin’ Hoo. I hate phone books. They’re bulky clumsy and there are always those idiots that tear out the page with the number they want.

9) The myth of cat intelligence

Obviously not a cat person.

10) Watches

I still see a lot. But is this really something to be bothered about? Have pocket watches vanished? No, some people still wear them simply because they’re cool.

11) Music stores

The comment was that people are stealing music, which is not the case. The ease in which music can be acquired for free is causing the music industry (you know those people who live in million dollar houses) to rethink their business model to the benefit of the rest of us (who live in apartments, mobile homes or houses that cost less than 7 figures). The biggest variable is the ethical foundation of the music buyer, something the music industry spent decades undermining, only to start whining about it when it started costing them money.

12) Letter writing/pen pals

Never had a pen pal that lasted more than a half-a-dozen letters. Never was big on writing letters, either, except when I was away from home in a strange place and wrote back and forth to who would later be my wife. Email would have been cheaper, less time consuming and a lot more fun.

13) Memory

Not really. Most people remembered those things most important to them, and that is still the case. the internet just makes looking thing sup a bit easier.

14) Dead time

I have dozens of books downloaded on my iphone, which I read when I have free time. It used to be a paper back in the glove box. I don’t see a big difference other than having a wider variety now.

15) Photo albums and slide shows

Are they serious?!? Are these guys oblivious to FaceBook?

16) Hoaxes and conspiracy theories

Yeah, right. Just because someone says it isn’t true, doesn’t mean people will believe them. How many “experts” have claimed Obama has released his birth certificate? Doesn’t mean he did. Snopes is the most widely known anti-myth site, and they are about as accurate as Wikipedia (which means not very much)

17) Watching television together

My family still does every night—programs accessed via the internet.

18) Authoritative reference works

They’re still there. I have full access to the Encyclopedia Britannica (because I’m a blogger). Full access to others is just $69.95/yr (That works out to a little under $6 a month). Since Wikipedia brags that “anyone who uses us as a source for medical information deserves to die” I’m not sure why anyone would want to use it.

22) Enforceable copyright

Oh, they enforce it. It’s just that while promoting socialism, much of the publishing industry never realized that so many people would actually take them seriously. Now they’re faced with trying to maintain their support of socialism while claiming personal property rights. Good luck on that, guys.

28) Respect for doctors and other professionals

Well, it should be “blind respect for doctors and other professionals” After running a medical site for years, the tales of stupid things doctors do still amazes me. More often than not the members of my site are more knowledgeable of their condition than most doctors.

32) Chuck Norris's reputation

Again, who are these idiots? Chuck Norris has a better reputation now than before the internet.

34) Mainstream media

I don’t think they’re going anywhere anytime fast, but even if they did—good riddance.

35) Concentration

Has increased due to the ability to effectively multi-task.

37) Personal reinvention

Only if you were stupid enough to post tons of personal stuff online. Smart people publish good stuff, so there’s not really any need for “personal reinvention”

43) Solitaire

Still play it often. It’s a great way to occupy the other half of the brain while watching TV.

46) Staggered product/film releases

Do these guys live under a rock? Hollywood is still pumping out millions to promote the release of new movies, even more on the internet.

47) Footnotes

Would a link more or less be the same as a footnote?

The trouble is that few reporters these days can separate their own personal opinions from actual facts, and therefore publish drivel, rather than good stories.

Posted by Danny Carlton at September 10, 2009 8:12 AM