Like almost everyone else I know, I keep trying to figure out the Internet and how to use it. When I was working, I managed websites for our church and several nonprofit organizations with which I was affiliated. I created my website where I publish my journal. I have discovered a few trusted news sources, and I appreciate the way the Internet has given me access to information I might not have otherwise been able to find.

One example of how I use the Internet is as a dictionary. I used to keep an unabridged dictionary at hand, but these days I use my Internet-connected phone to look up words. I can easily navigate to several different dictionaries, including the Oxford English Dictionary, American Heritage Dictionary, and Webster's Dictionary. I have a favorite online thesaurus and routinely use an online rhyming dictionary.

The Internet, however, is not a solution to all the issues and problems we face, and I have begun to experiment with ways to reduce my use of the Internet. For several months, I’ve been intentionally decreasing my online purchases. I canceled my Amazon Prime membership and removed my credit card information, which had enabled one-click shopping on Amazon. I did the same thing with the Target website, although it was more difficult on that particular one. It appears to continue storing deleted information. I checked, and although I deleted “ship to” addresses from that site, my default address remains one where I no longer live. Additionally, when I deleted my contact information, it continued to retain an email address that is no longer active. My account on that website is so confusing that I don’t dare order anything there, fearing it will be shipped to the wrong address.

I have discovered some excellent alternatives to online shopping. My favorite local independent bookstore is a great place to browse books before making a purchase. And, when I do need to order a book, I can do so on their website without having to pay until the book arrives at the store. Although they have a feature that allows books to be sent directly to my home, I’ve found that I prefer having them shipped to the store. It gives me a reason to spend time looking at the books on their shelves.

One large online supplier of parts and accessories for recreational vehicles has a warehouse store not far from my home. I can go to the store and select the merchandise I want by looking directly at their inventory. Shopping at a regular store also works well for bicycle parts and accessories, hardware, lumber, and other items I purchase. Here in the Pacific Northwest, there are specialty shops for various types of lumber that do not have an online presence, but offer a large selection of different products when you visit their store.

I am currently working offline to create a new website to replace this one. I’ll still have the same URL, but I hope to simplify the site and change the way that I archive my essays. I confess that part of the motivation for the change is marketing. I have a book scheduled for publication later this year, and my publisher is working with me to help with marketing. It turns out that there is more to being an author than writing. I am, however, seeking ways to circumvent some of the conventional methods of online marketing. To sell books, one cannot ignore that approximately 50% of all book sales are made on Amazon. However, I am working with the publisher to ensure that the book will be available from other sources, including Barnes & Noble, Libro, independent bookstores, and libraries.

However, some aspects of the Internet are beyond my control. The modern internet continues to be overrun with ads, hateful trolls, aggressive algorithms, AI-generated garbage, and a lack of privacy. Here are some of my complaints:

Search engines are much slower and less likely to reveal the information sought than they were a couple of decades ago. This is because search engines exist to produce income through advertising. If I go to a search engine, enter my query, and immediately get the information I need, I would spend less time on the Internet and be exposed to fewer advertisements. Since the search engine generates revenue through ads, algorithms are written into it to produce less accurate search results, keeping users on the site longer and exposing them to more advertising. Cory Doctorow coined the word “enshittification” to describe this process of intentionally making search engines less accurate and less reliable. Now, not only do the algorithms steer users away from reliable sources, but most default to inaccurate AI-generated answers. The first response to most queries is often a bit of AI-generated content. I quickly scroll past that to actual websites, searching for sources that I can trust.

I’m not the only one who is discovering that the Internet is not good at everything. There have recently been dramatic decreases in the use of online dating sites. People seeking meaningful relationships are becoming aware that 10% or fewer marriages come from online dating. Relationships that begin online are less stable and less likely to lead to a commitment. The best way to meet another person and form a lasting relationship is (surprise, surprise) in person. Churches and volunteer organizations are much better ways to meet prospective partners. Internet dating services encourage looking at the surface and discourage getting to know another person in depth.

While using the Internet is part of modern job sites, most online applications do not result in interviews. Employers are overwhelmed by the number of online applicants and use AI to screen them. A human does not review the majority of online applications. Personal connections remain important in successful job searches.

The internet remains a significant aspect of modern life, but learning to navigate its less desirable elements can enhance the user experience. While I intend to use the internet to connect with friends around the world, I also continue to learn about other ways to make and maintain relationships offline. Like many different aspects of life, balance is crucial.