Life Before the Internet - What we can learn from the good old days

There was life before Google and smartphones, but few would recognize it today. We had more free time, as we didn't spend hours on social media. Our children roamed free and learned to fend for themselves. We enjoyed the freedom and space that came from being unreachable, and we couldn't take work home. We didn't need to invent slow living; it was part of the deal! See how the last unconnected generation used to live. Catch the tempo of everyday life, from home and school to work and leisure - and perhaps reflect on what we might learn.

Michael Gentle's book provides an enjoyable and balanced survey of some of the dramatic changes the internet has brought to our daily lives. It is sure to encourage reminiscence, reflection, and even debate, about the costs and benefits of life in a digital age.--Professor Christopher J Colvin, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, USA. Expertise in global health policy, gender and HIV, and health activism.
An insightful look at a slower and simpler time, and a reflection on what we have gained and lost. It raises some interesting questions on the effects of the internet on health and wellbeing in a digital age.--Lilian Dudley, Emeritus Associate Professor, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Michael Gentle has succeeded in writing a book that is neither an anti-tech rant nor a call for a return to some idyllic past. An entertaining read.--François Jolles, CIO, International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Switzerland
Michael Gentle reminds us of some of the small pleasures of life, from enjoying an evening out without interruption to not having to work at home, much of which has been replaced by 24/7 connectivity. Perhaps this insightful and highly enjoyable work will encourage us to occasionally revisit the charm of former times, albeit without forfeiting the advantages that technology now offers.--Dr. Nancy L. Segal, Psychology Professor, California State University, Fullerton. Director, Twin Studies Center

Michael Gentle is a former IT and data-privacy professional, and the author of a number of bestselling books on business and technology. He has lived and worked in Europe, North America, Africa and Asia-Pacific, and speaks several languages. He is now retired and lives in Setúbal, Portugal.

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