Internet has become pretty indispensable for almost everyone these days. Whatever you want to call it – the cloud, Facebook, email, maybe “that dang phone” – the internet and the world wide web of connectivity that it provides shoulders the responsibility of running the machinations of the world, and like electricity and water it has become an essential utility for most folks who enjoy the conveniences and distractions it provides.
I live in Joshua Tree, and over the last few months I’ve had my share of door-to-door solicitors who gently nudge my “no soliciting” sign aside and knock on my front door, expecting to wow me with the idea that my home is a “great candidate for solar because it gets great sun exposure.” That’s actually a real line I heard from a salesperson.
However, on a Saturday afternoon, in a moment of weakness… they got me. I was outside watering my plants and next thing I knew two young go-getters from an internet company with a very “old west” name had me surrounded – promising me faster internet at a price that was 3 times less than the old standard cable company I was with.
The promises of fast internet quickly faded as my installation dates came and went without a peep from the company – and when all was said and done, the company had pointed fingers at neighbors, subcontractors, phone systems, and the weather before they finished installing my new “faster” internet… almost 4 weeks to the day of ordering it and a full month after I had canceled my previous service – leaving me with a home disconnected from the greater world.
My inconvenience is coming from a place of privilege. I own a smartphone with a data plan that I could turn on to become a hotspot, so I was never truly disconnected. However, the forced break from an always-connected home put me back in touch with a few simple pleasures that I didn’t realize I was missing.
Streaming movies was out – but I had already rediscovered the pleasures of borrowing a DVD from the library, a free and fun way to not overwhelm your senses with the relative availability of almost anything online. A DVD or Bluray works just like the old days and it isn’t looking for a WiFi connection to serve you ads in the middle of the action.
I’m more of a music guy, anyway, preferring to have something on in the background during the work day. I’m old school and I love radio, and some smartphones even have a built-in FM radio tuner so you can listen to stations like Z107.7 without using data. When I was tired of someone DJ’ing for me, I found that looking through my old CDs was a great visual way to remember deep cut albums that don’t show up in my streaming algorhitim, or that I scroll right by.
While the month long wait to get my internet turned back on was an inconvenience, it also reminded me that the slower analogue world provides a less-connected but quieter alternative to having the world of entertainment at our fingertips at all times. If the last few years – or decades – if the “always online” life has you feeling a little lost once the signal drops, try taking some time to build some offline options into your home.
Vinyl Shops around the Basin
White Label Vinyl in Twentynine Palms: https://www.instagram.com/whitelabelvinyl
Hoodoo Vinyl in Yucca Valley: https://www.instagram.com/the_hoodoo_yv/
Low Cost Internet Plans
Need Low Cost Internet? There are a few options for lower-priced (but slower) options for those on government assisted programs:
Spectrum Internet Assist
$24.99/month
For more information, call (877) 959-1748
Data: 50 Mbps download speed
Installation fee applies. Free Modem. WiFi router available for $5 per month.
Spectrum Internet Assist is a low-cost broadband service that provides qualifying households with Internet service for $24.99 per month. To qualify for Spectrum Internet Assist, a member of the household must be a recipient of one of the following programs:
• The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) free or reduced-cost breakfast or lunch
• The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the NSLP
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (age 65 and over only)
This offer is valid for new qualifying residential customers who have not subscribed to any Spectrum services within the previous 30 days, and have no outstanding financial obligations to Charter/Spectrum.
Low Cost Internet through Human-i-t
More options available through the former Affordable Internet Connectivity Program’s website
