What would you do for a living

... if the Internet didn't exist

[digitalv]

Since I'm tired of arguing with people about W3C today, I figured I would start a thread that could be a little more fun.

If Al Gore had never invented the Internet</joke> what would you be doing for a living? What career path would you have taken if there was no such thing as the Internet and all of the advanced networking that has come as a result of it or types of jobs that have spawned from it. Think a little bit, the Internet has created a lot of new types of businesses.

For me, I probably would have either completed my Archaeology degree or gone into Real Estate. Totally opposite sides of the scale, eh? Would have been cool to do both though - I could excavate ancient villages, then sell them. :P

After you come up with an answer, here is the fun part ... Pick two associates or co-workers who work in an internet-related industry: the one you like the most, and the one you like the least. What would THEY be doing for a living? :)

[digitalghost]

Raise horses. Oh wait, I do that now. Seriously, I'd be writing. But just enough to make enough money to raise horses and buy land. I've done many differrent things, studied lots of different subjects and I've come to the conclusion that I like horses more than I like most people... ;)

When I grow up though, I want to be a helicopter...

[edited by: digitalghost at 9:43 pm (utc) on May 10, 2004]

[crashomon]

I'd be in corporate communications, writing out fun little dittys about how "Life is FUN" in the corporate world! In my previous life, I worked in the motorcycle industry and I'd probably have that to fall back if the corporate thing got TOO hairy for me.

[pmkpmk]

I thought Bill Gates invented it? [/joke]

More or less the same I do now, only MORE tradeshows, MORE conferences, MORE print-advertising and MORE "advertorials".

[nancyb]

I'd be doing the same thing I do now except, I'd have more time to do it since I wouldn't have to work on my web site :)

[zulufox]

I'd just end up writing a book instead of a webpage

[Conard]

I'd be doing the same thing I do now.
The Internet came along way after I had my business under way. My business has grown over 600% because of the Internet and I could fall back if I really had to, but life is so good now I can't believe it.

[digitalv]

Man, all of these answers make me think you guys couldn't EXIST without the Internet :P

[Llama]

I think that I'll answer for the vast majority of people: get a job.

As for myself, I'd just sit there playing video games. Job? Hah!

[DaveLite]

would we still have TV and remote controls?

I'd still be the electrician I am today and I might still be doing some DJ work on the side.

I don't have any co-workers in the web business but I'm sure the one I like would be working in an airconditioned office and the one I don't care for would be laying hot tar on the roads in the summer and laid off in the winter

[Conard]

I think it comes down to adapting to situations.
Before the Internet things were good but much harder.
Now things are better and much easier. I could go back if I had to but who wants to go backward in life.
I keep wondering what new avenues the web is going to open up and which way I'll jump when the time comes.
I left the corporate world in 1975 and went into business for myself, ya, I'm an old guy:)
The ones that can adapt and change are the ones that survive in any business. The Internet is just another avenue with a whole new set of rules and lessons.

[hannamyluv]

Oh, god... I have no clue. I have an English degree but I know that you just don't make money as a writer.

I just don't want to think about it...

[edit_g]

Oh, god... I have no clue. I have an English degree but I know that you just don't make money as a writer.

At least writers have a chance - I have a philosophy degree! ;)

[ken_b]

I've always aspired to be a used car salesman, so maybe I'd open a nice little used car lot.

[zulufox]

I'm working towards a Phd in international public health, pretty much takes all my time anyway.

Maybe thats why my site sucks... :P

[digitalv]

I asked a couple "internet worker" friends today and both answered pretty quickly. The first one said he would be a copy. The second one said.

"I would be a lot less lazy".

Ha! I love that answer!

[Llama]

I could go back if I had to but who wants to go backward in life.

It's like Macintosh users! ;) *j/k*

I really think that I'd probably go into TV advertising, or something involving music.

[sidyadav]

I would've been a doctor earning lots but having no real interest what so ever in it.

Sid

[eWhisper]

I'd actually get around to publishing the books and stories I've written.

Well, that and actually doing what I studied in college, designing and qcing personality tests.

[blaze]

yoiks. Not one computer programmer among the bunch of you!

[pleeker]

I was a TV sportscaster before I switched to web development, so I imagine I'd still be doing that. <shudder>

If anyone sees Tim Berners-Lee, please thank him for me.

[bedlam]

Oh, god... I have no clue. I have an English degree but I know that you just don't make money as a writer.

At least writers have a chance - I have a philosophy degree! ;)

Uh oh...I'm doomed then... BFA in visual arts, BA in philosophy, pursuing grad degree in the latter :-/

Since I'm on the way down anyway, should I buy the shopping cart to push around the alleys, or just steal it?

I think I just answered the original question...

-B

[chaplin]

I probably would be a prepress worker or journalist as before.
Or if would have some money will open a snack bar amd stay away from computers :)
With or without internet i will probably some day do it. Sometimes feel tired of computers, aren't you guys?

[chaplin]

Lol that was a double post, i can't see how to delete it.

[photon]

Teach.

[Sinner_G]

What would I do if the Internet didn't exist? Easy, I'd invent it :).

[aravindgp]

Communication industry, If IT is Invented.

If not then may be Teaching as professor somewhere..saying "there will be time when the whole will be networked , this medium would be known as ethernet.2009"

[limbo]

Restaurateur or Landscape architect. I have a degree in the latter and vested interest in the former... I love food! :)

[isitreal]

hmmm.. let's see, what would I be doing if I wasn't spending 1000's of hours trying to learn how to make little words and characters I type onto my computer make other people's computer monitors shine in certain ways consistently?... probably something more interesting and real, maybe teaching english in spain, it's hard to say, I'd definitely be writing a lot more... you know, real creative stuff, not the illusion of creativity styling content with pretty little shapes and borders gives you... taking more chances, realizing that freedom doesn't come from following rules....

[chicagohh]

Sales... Either still a headhunter or move to something I enjoy - cars. Used car salesmen can make a nice chunk of change... :)