Something that only a couple of years ago we openly criticised we now praise in the time of nation-wide lock-down. 

Well we’re over a month into a nation-wide lock-down and we are now turning to both the internet and Skype in order to stay in touch with each other. However, what I find completely ironic is that it only seemed to be a couple of years ago that we were criticising others for spending so much time on the web. And let’s face it how many of us were having a go at our nearest and dearest for Skyping someone and why they couldn’t just get off their backside and meet them in person.
Yet here is now where the irony now lies. We are in a nation-wide lock-down, we cannot go out unless it is for work reasons (that being if we can’t work from home), getting medical supplies, buying food or for exercise.
Now, of course, a great many of us are turning to the internet. However, this time we are using it to learn new skills, watch videos and other forms of entertainment as well as use it to keep up to date with both local and national goings on.
Something that we once took for granted is now becoming something of a series life-lines in helping get through our daily lives. But then again when we are all having to stay in our homes what else can you do, if anything?
Well in this past week alone I’ve been going on YouTube and checking out random videos, listening to music (on YouTube of course, sadly I haven’t got an account with Spotify or Apple but it’s probably time I got myself one), chatting with mates on social media and doing Skype calls with the family. The very latter I openly admit I thought was quite nice considering that I was half expecting something along the lines of sibling rivalry typo arguments, though nothing of the sort actually happened.
Well since we have all had to stay inside, I’ve been on the web numerous times to checking out many tips on arts and crafts. And what can I say, I’m a keen artist though I’ve got to say I have seen several things to keep me occupied for the next time I pick up my paintbrushes and canvases. I have been tempted to check out videos that teach you how to do calligraphy but I think I’ll wait till I cross that one (depends on how wildly my artistic creativity flows)
I think it is safe to say that we are all using the internet to learn new skills, either for enhancing job prospects, looking for new jobs, or just general interest. How about learning a new language like French, Korean, Spanish or German perhaps?
Earlier on this week I learnt about people who were taking to skype for virtual dating, and I have to say that if you’d have mentioned this to me sometime last year, I’d have probably told you to get a life. But no, it’s something that people have been doing in order to meet up with new people without actually meeting them in person. Basically, it’s a skype call but you’re using it to have date, however I did have to ask and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one; what happens when the lock-down’s finished and we can finally meet each other face to face, what happens then? Does the chemistry remain or just fizzle out?
And yet this is something that we are doing to maintain contact whilst we cannot physically make contact in person. I’m not knocking it but I’m just saying what happens then afterwards.
I mean as good as it sounds, and no doubt appeals to some to enjoy meeting up with new people I’d rather stick to chatting with people who I actually know. Hence why I will be sticking to Skype, also it’s a form of communication that I am already familiar with.
Failing that there are always things like Facebook that can help me fill some kind of void. Yet, in fact, I have found that to be quite useful as over the past few weeks, give or take a day or two (or more) it has helped me stay in touch with my friends to no end.
This is one of the better sides of the internet as, like many others, it has helped me to keep up to date with friends and family, celebrate birthdays and just general chit chat.