So Long, and Thanks for All the Clicks

I had an epiphany this week. Maybe it was a Zoloft. No, definitely an epiphany.

I don’t enjoy the internet.

Odd, for someone who has enjoyed writing here, commenting at other sites, and promising to defend the First Amendment “over my dead keyboard.”  I’m just not enjoying any of it any more.

I don’t even like Google. If you asked me a dozen years ago would I like to have the answer to any question within seconds, but I’d have to let some company compile all the questions I’d asked…I would have chosen to keep my questions to myself. That’s where we are.

Of course the internet is a great tool. It’s been fun. I’m taking a break.

A couple of years ago I started writing this blog immediately after someone told me to mind my own business. In my opinion, the last few years have shown that I’m not intimidated. My decision has nothing to do with that controversy. I’m not making a break from the people like John Hoge who have been a part of the online Team Kimberlin issue.

In about a week, I’m limiting my internet to the bare minimum, work-related content. I’m deleting my email, erasing all this here, and refusing to touch Google, Facebook and the rest…at least for the next 6 months. I’m going on an internet diet. Maybe a fast.

My plan is to read books, work on some fiction writing I’ve wanted to do and complete some professional development.  I want to be a Reading Specialist, and secure Board Certification as a Special Educator. These things take focus, and as long as interesting ideas are floating around on the ‘net…within a few clicks…I don’t think I can do them.

Many thanks to John Hoge, David Edgren, Aaron Walker, MJ, Gus Bailey and Sarah Palmer for inspiration. Thanks also to Paul Krendler, whoever he is. Thanks to the hundreds of internet friends and the thousands of readers whose paths I have crossed.  So long.