Happy birthday, Internet! Here’s why we love it
Photo: Getty
1. The internet gave us GIFs and everyone has a favourite. But does it get better than a continuous Alec Baldwin scotch pour?
2. Self-diagnosing illnesses got a whole lot more interesting with things like YourDiagnosis and webMD.
3. There is now an immediate, final and authoritative way to end all differences of opinion … but it’s no good when you’re wrong.
4. The death of the pen pal and the rise of the random social media add/follow. (You’ve done it, don’t deny it. You’re only lying to yourself)
5. Dead time. You should no longer have any, thanks to sites like The Wiki Game.
6. Conspiracy theories are so much more ridiculous and available now, see: The World is Flat & The Pixar Theory.
7. It is easier to call out faceless conglomerates, although it is also easier for them to respond via an emerging genre: propagandatainment.
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8. After five minutes of reading you can be an expert on ANYTHING.
9. Facebook stalking and Tinder have removed the nerve factor from conversing with the opposite sex … great for all the cowards out there. (We can’t all be as suave as Don and Betty)
10. Social media trolls take things a little too far … but it DOES keep things interesting, especially if it’s a Voldermort Rick Roll.
11. It is now possible to get stuck in a YouTube hole i.e. VSauce
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12. You can tweet while watching television … i.e. you don’t have to talk over the important show you’re watching in order to feel semi social.
Potato rosti jaffle in a restaurant styled like a pole-dancing venue with unhygienic kisses on the mirror #mkr
— Suzanne Carbone (@SuzanneCarbone) March 11, 2015
13. Social media movements restore faith in human goodness #illridewithyou #jesuischarlie #putoutyourbats.
Bats were placed out in tribute to cricketer Phillip Hughes. Photo: Getty
14. Streaming services. Let’s face it – if we could only watch commercial TV we’d all go mad. Case in point, Mark Holden:
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15. The rise and rise of the Vine artist.
Ladies & Gentlemen, the Prime Minister of Australia…… #TonyAbbott X #Sandstorm https://t.co/b5pIThFdFv #auspol
— GAZ (@garyBPMG) February 6, 2015
16. Unqualified people making mashups so awful that they’re great:
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17. Taking the world of music online.
Thank you, Steve. Photo: Getty
18. You can use social media to portray the lie that your life is good! Even if you lead a miserable existence.
19. Making mindless pop culture discussions the only thing on our minds i.e. TayTay for Hottest 100 and DressGate.
20. The Selfie.
#auspol Tony Abbott getting his KRudd selfie on with students at Mumbai University. Photo @mearesy pic.twitter.com/afi4ui59mv
— David Marler (@Qldaah) September 4, 2014
21. Instagramming food. It’s a good thing, admit it.
Photo: Getty
22. Online shopping. Becoming poor from the comfort of your very own lounge room.
23. Route planners. It’s great to know just how late you will be today due to substandard public transport.
24. Being able to watch sport highlights over and over and over and over …
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25. Niche blogs with subject matter you thought only you cared about. Try Cook Suck & guilty fan boy/girl pleasures.
26. Using social media on the phone to get out of/avoid awkward situations.
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