Comments on: Quitting the Internet is Silly

By: Gelio

Gelio — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:55:00 +0000

Yeah, I don’t know about quitting the internet. Now quitting FACEBOOK, that might be a little more reasonable. Shoot, I did 2 months ago and I haven’t looked back!

By: fkypie

fkypie — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:17:00 +0000

“ultra-entry level touchscreen Samsung device”

I’m pretty sure you can get much more entry level than anything with a touchscreen… my nokia 3320 will attest. Yes, the one with the disco lights on the side. So in fact even mine has something ‘non entry level’ (although stupid and pointless.. and awesome..)

By: n900mixalot

n900mixalot — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:21:00 +0000

His presence wlll still primarily be via internet. Using a middleman is just that. End result=Internet.

You dont quit the Internet. The Internet quits you.

By: Emmanuel Buttigieg

Emmanuel Buttigieg — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:07:00 +0000

It won’t be him that puts stuff online. His system is actually very traditional and his writing will be published through a middle man, a publisher. He’ll go to the office with his piece on a flashdrive and give it to his designated publisher who will then go through the piece, perhaps edit it, then publish it in Paul’s name.

Like people have been doing for centuries with newspapers.

By: Emmanuel Buttigieg

Emmanuel Buttigieg — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:05:00 +0000

I think Paul Miller’s decision isn’t a stunt and isn’t an experiment for our personal benefit, but for his personal benefit.

Regarding the idea of not using a smartphone for a month. I did that. My Desire Z died and I had to use a crappy ultra-entry level touchscreen Samsung device with T9. Did I like it? No, I wanted Twitter and Facebook and a browser and a full keyboard. What I did learn from the experience can be summed up in 2 things:

Firstly, an always on, always connected smartphone is a distraction. Secondly, I learnt to use my smartphone better. To be more productive More importantly, however, I learnt that there are boundaries.

And I respect those.

By: Ronin_84

Ronin_84 — Tue, 08 May 2012 05:52:00 +0000

Well, good for him. It seems everyone is addicted to using the internet these days and don’t seem to know how to live life without it. Imagine what would happen if you didn’t have access to a tablet, smart phone, or computer. Being connected to the internet also means the government is able to watch all your moves, decisions, political views, religious views, purchases, etc. — but hey, if you like having the government up your butt, then that’s all up to you.

I for one have quit using facebook. Not like it’s a big deal, and I might return some time, but I think it’s ridiculous how everyone feels the need to be connected to it and share all their activities— it’s like they can’t live without it. I think it’s better to have less of an online presence and have some privacy, I don’t need everyone knowing what I do or think (and for some people it’s none of their business, although those will always try to stick their nose up your butt). If you believe that your information or pics are safe because they are password protected, then you are an idiot.

By: Steve T

Steve T — Sun, 06 May 2012 16:41:00 +0000

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don’t think Paul Miller is doing it for anything more than personal reasons. The fact that his company is supporting him is great. If it isn’t interesting to you then don’t read it. CNN covers a lot of *quasi* news stories because they need to fill their 24 news cycle.
I am normally a fan, but this seems needlessly mean spirited for people you purport to call friends.

My 2¢

By: challenge_accepted

challenge_accepted — Sun, 06 May 2012 12:47:00 +0000

Yea I read the verge everyday and I think they’re going overboard with this. If you’re gonna do something just do it without making it such a big deal. Every vergecast shouldn’t be about him. I read the site for the news.. This isn’t news.

By: n900mixalot

n900mixalot — Sun, 06 May 2012 10:27:00 +0000

Kind of like the passive-aggressive nature of suicide, innit?

Well done though, I agree with you.

By: n900mixalot

n900mixalot — Sun, 06 May 2012 10:24:00 +0000

Er, then he will still be using the internet, née, Internet, to get his stories out there.

This is a giant, hipster hoax.

By: Th0rHere

Th0rHere — Sun, 06 May 2012 07:07:00 +0000

Paul miller said he was quitting the internet to become more productive. Now the problem with that is the internet isn’t anything. The information on the internet is and you really can’t quit that.
The internet is just the means of accessing the information.Quitting the internet is counter-productive and the fact he thinks he will become a better writer for doing this is nonsense. Also. If it wasn’t a stunt and wasn’t to just make money, Then why did he tell everyone. Why was it all over the verge. The fact is that if you are trying to quit the internet, why would you tell everyone on the internet that you are quitting it.Also, even though I used it, I hated the expression, “quitting the internet” you can’t quit the internet as it’s just a tool like a screw driver or a drill. Imagine the guy who builds houses for a living said I’m quitting drills to make me more productive. It’s nonsense and so is this.

By: Demonstr8r

Demonstr8r — Sun, 06 May 2012 05:15:00 +0000

Yeah, reverting back to a lifestyle reminiscent of 1994 is too tame. Why not take 1984 for a spin, complete with Member’s Only jackets, parachute pants and the Macintosh. Better still, try living like it’s 1894 only with the iPad, iPhone and the Internet.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sun, 06 May 2012 02:34:00 +0000

Blogging, twitter, social media etc. are great tools or horrible addictions. It’s up to the individual user

By: Werdnareka

Werdnareka — Sun, 06 May 2012 02:33:00 +0000

You sir are my personal hero. I love your writing style! Keep it up Batman!

By: troll

troll — Sat, 05 May 2012 21:47:00 +0000

Dude (the author) you’re an idiot.

By: Case Pin

Case Pin — Sat, 05 May 2012 20:59:00 +0000

i’m sure he’ll be back.. staying away without a internet connection while travelling abroad drove me nuts!

By: jhdale

jhdale — Sat, 05 May 2012 20:15:00 +0000

The internet is too big. It’s like quitting the printed word. I’m not sure that means anything, except self-enforced illiteracy.

I think a lot of use could benefit from quitting blogs, Twitter, and social media, though.

By: N. Gadget

N. Gadget — Sat, 05 May 2012 20:05:00 +0000

Paul Miller is a decent journalist and a pleasure to read. The fact that he’s following an old tradition is less important than the quality of his insight and writing.I’m looking forward to some good pieces from him over the next year. Yes it can be viewed as a stunt, but lets give the guy a break, this could be interesting.