OPINION: Losing internet not like losing a limb

PLENTY of businesses and households were impacted by the Telstra outage which was an act of vandalism.

The loss of internet access wasn't due to an unpaid bill. Picture: DERRICK DEN HOLLANDER

HOW grumpy does everyone get when the internet goes down these days?

For some members of my family it was like they had a limb amputated not being able to use a screen for a few hours.

There were slight overtones it was someone's fault in the household (perhaps some non bill paying) and plenty of switching computers on and off.

At least I think that is the technical term for it.

For a short time people actually had to talk to one another or watch something that is considered very old- fashioned these days which is free to air television.

I swear my teenage son's anxiety levels shot up to about a 10 and he literally didn't know what to do with himself for a few hours.

Makes you wonder what it was like before we had any or all of the distractions I mentioned above.

And the Telstra outage, which appears to be an act of sabotage, rather than the telco's fault, really did cause major disruptions to individuals and businesses alike.

It shows just how wired in we are to our devices for business and pleasure.

So much so that life doesn't seem the same without it.

One thing I have re-discovered over the past 24 hours or so, is how much I like talking to my family, and the joy you can get by playing a game of cards (Uno) with your kids.

Don't get me wrong, I love my I-devices like the rest of the world, but there are simpler pleasures in life worth pursuing.