The (e-)World is an Amazing Place

[Serpentine]

Something Neil Gaiman says at the end of this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qkyt1wXNlI&feature=player_embedded) got me thinking about something I've been musing on for a while, to whit: the internet is amazing. Without it, I wouldn't know that all of you even exist, much less be able to discuss, exchange and argue things with all of you. It's huge, it can bring down companies and build new ones, spread awareness (and fallacies), and it's just generally amazing.

So, in a celebration of The Internet, here's what I want: I want everyone, say, once a week, to post something here (preferably, if possible, to the original link) that they would not know about or would never have seen or experienced without the internet. Anything from discovering a new fact about the universe to a kitteh doing something amusing.


Suppose I ought to post something here, myself... Alright, the fact that there are tiny little versions of all the big, famous dinosaurs. I discovered that fact here (http://www.nhm.ac.uk/jdsml/nature-online/dino-directory/), and I desperately want a pet Wannanosaurus (http://www.nhm.ac.uk/jdsml/nature-online/dino-directory/detail.dsml?disp=gall&sort=Genus&bodytype=6&dataHeaderText_EX=%0d%0a%3cimg+align%3d%22absbotto m%22+src%3d%22images%2fbody%2fankyICON%2egif%22+wi dth%3d%2245%22+height%3d%2218%22+border%3d%220%22+ title%3d%22Ankylosaurid%22%3e%2dshaped+dinosaurs%0 d%0a&beginIndex=34&&listPageURL=body%2edsml%3fdisp%3dgall%26sort%3dGen us%26beginIndex%3d33%26bodytype%3d6). While I'm at it, this picture blew my mind:http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5455/quetzalcoatlus1fw9.jpg

For all intents and purposes, that is a freaking dragon!


P.S. If anyone's wondering, I got the title from an old SBS ad, which almost always has lovely advertising. Can't find it now, alas.

[rakkoon]

I have recently learned that in Sweden you can get married without going to your city council. I knew this was possible in America but did not know it happened in Europe too.

[Phishfood]

These things.

WANT!

http://www.anybots.com/#front

<Edit>

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/107655-Robot-Shocks-Coffee-Shop-Patrons-With-Pastry-Order

[KuReshtin]

Swedish Meal Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akxgb5ONhB0) - I already know how to cook these things, since I'm Swedish and everyone in Sweden get taught to cook these things, but they're still awesome.

[Haruki-kun]

I wouldn't know Terry Pratchett, my favorite author, even exists without this place.

I also wouldn't like anime.

[Asta Kask]

I can't believe no one has mentioned ORDER OF THE STICK!

and Maru. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noLxd--xTo8)

[Sipex]

I wouldn't know Terry Pratchett, my favorite author, even exists without this place.

Same!

As for me?

I may have never gotten into D&D.

[Mina Kobold]

I wouldn't know Terry Pratchett, my favorite author, even exists without this place.

I also wouldn't like anime.

Both are true for me as well

Excluding webcomics that would never have existed without the Internet I would never have discovered Marvel or DC without the awesome Internet review-show Atop the Fourth Wall. Thanks to Linkar for creating my favourite review show. :smallsmile:

I would also never have discovered this forum and it's wonerful community, I love you guys. ^.^

[Thufir]

Well, the big thing which springs to mind is not this forum in general (It'd kind of feel like cheating to say thet anyway), but specifically Pudding Troll. I care about and take interest in a(n adorable) baby who I have never met, who is on the other side of the Atlantic, because of this forum, and by extension the internet in general.

[Necro_EX]

I have two friends who lived all the way across the world from eachother, and they're now married. If it weren't for the internet they never would have met.

Also, I learned that I can legally own a flamethrower.

[MoonCat]

Like, my only friends are here! And WHACK-A-KITTY!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_udqEp_YR4) (Not mean to kittens)

If you want a second helping that is even funnier, WHACK-A-KITTY 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_bzB0qctnE) (I laughed myself silly)

[Icewalker]

Oh geez.

Well. Where to start. I spend an hour every day studying something on my own volition, unrelated to schoolwork or whatever. Like 90% of the time, my hour uses the internet. Still though, that's more things I learn online, and less things I would not have discovered if I wasn't online. There are things which would be more distinctly the latter...

Ooh, ooh. Neil Gaiman's short story, A Study in Emerald (http://www.neilgaiman.com/mediafiles/exclusive/shortstories/emerald.pdf). I just finally read Doyle's A Study in Scarlet a couple days ago, so it's on my mind again. Incredible story.

Also those cats are adorable.

[Zaydos]

The type of manga that I actually like (non-action). Bakuman in specific (I keep volume 8 in Japanese on my dresser)

[Castaras]

Without the internet, I would have not have been introduced to the amazingness that is This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZRR-MerxIA) metal song.

Screw it, without the internet, I wouldn't have been introduced to metal as a whole. Come to think of it, I think the person that dragged me into my first metal band (Blind Guardian) was Vespe from these forums. :smallbiggrin:

[Zaydos]

Without the internet, I would have not have been introduced to the amazingness that is This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZRR-MerxIA) metal song.

Screw it, without the internet, I wouldn't have been introduced to metal as a whole. Come to think of it, I think the person that dragged me into my first metal band (Blind Guardian) was Vespe from these forums. :smallbiggrin:

I found metal while making monsters on these forums :smallredface:

[arguskos]

I found metal while digging in the ravine outside my house. Wait... did you mean the musical genre? Neeeeeeevermind. :smalltongue:

Sans the internet, I wouldn't have found the gumption to start actually documenting my campaign setting (the support I get from DMofDarkness and unosarta is instrumental in keeping me on task, it really is).

I also wouldn't have found one of my dearest friends. If you're reading this, you know who you are. :smallwink:

[CynicalAvocado]

without it we wouldn't have xkcd (http://xkcd.com/442/)

(link related)

[Lady Moreta]

This:
http://img.pederick.id.au/gallery/d/205-1/justwed_SBP0252.jpg

Without the internet I wouldn't have a husband :smallbiggrin:

[Syka]

Without the internet, my relationships would have been far more difficult (LDRs).

Without the internet, it would have been far more difficult to contact my best friend while she was deployed. If I'm not much mistaken, the current war we are involved in is the first time when the internet made communication just so darn easy- to the point where one can regularly v-chat with folks.

Without the internet, I probably would have a harder time finding a job...especially since at least one company I am looking at (as my first choice, no less) is an internet company.

Having grown up with computers my whole life, and the internet for at least the last 15ish years (give or take a couple), my entire LIFE would be different. :smalleek:

[Kris Strife]

I wouldn't have found any of my webcomics, or even know what webcomics were, I probably wouldn't have known about most of the games I play, or have found TTGL.

On the other hand, without the internet I wouldn't know what slash fic was... Not everything you learn is something you want to know.

[factotum]

I wouldn't ever have played Painkiller without having read Yahtzee's review of it, and thus would have missed out on an awesome game!

[Admiral Squish]

Without the internet... I'd probably be a completely different person. Or possibly not even here anymore...

[grimbold]

hyperboleandahalf.com
brilliant idea by the way serpentine

[Asta Kask]

This:
*snip*

Without the internet I wouldn't have a husband :smallbiggrin:

Correction - you wouldn't have the husband you now have. Beautiful ladies don't stay unattached unless they want to.

Unless you're a bitch. Are you a bitch? No, I didn't think so.

Q.E.D.

[Trog]

Swedish Meal Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akxgb5ONhB0) - I already know how to cook these things, since I'm Swedish and everyone in Sweden get taught to cook these things, but they're still awesome.

Heh! This reminds me of MAN COOKING!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIqya836xcw) :smallbiggrin:

EDIT:

This:
*snip*

Without the internet I wouldn't have a husband :smallbiggrin:
D'awwwwww! :smallsmile:

EDIT2: I WANT ONE OF THOSE ROBOTS!!! O:

[AshDesert]

I would never have gotten into RPGs or most music I listen to now.

Also, I've learned more things from Cracked (www.cracked.com) than I could count.

[Mauve Shirt]

I'd probably have better grades, but I wouldn't have the many friends I've made here, or a boyfriend.

[Kallisti]

Without the internet, TvTropes would not have enhanced my vocabulary. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/SugarWiki/TVTropesWillEnhanceYourLife)

Also, I'd still have free time.

[Anuan]

Well, the big thing which springs to mind is not this forum in general (It'd kind of feel like cheating to say thet anyway), but specifically Pudding Troll. I care about and take interest in a(n adorable) baby who I have never met, who is on the other side of the Atlantic, because of this forum, and by extension the internet in general.

Having met the Pudding Troll, he's basically the best baby ever.
The kid eats chilli (con carne, I mean) with extra jalapenos. Without so much as a cough.
The adorable factor's been mentioned. He's going to be a looker in a few years :smalltongue:


I'd probably have better grades, but I wouldn't have the many friends I've made here, or a boyfriend.

Maybe without the Playground. But do you think you'd have better grades without the internet as a study resource?

[Lioness]

Without the internet, I'd probably be sad, and have no self-esteem.

I'd also have a much worse grasp of English, seeing as I went through about a week of all my free time where I looked up every grammar-related question I had.

[KuReshtin]

Without the internet, it would've taken me a lot longer to learn how to type fast.
Chat rooms taught me that to get your point across, you need to type quickly.
Not so much so in discussion forums, but it's better to be able to finish a decent sized typed document in 10 minutes rather than an hour and a half.