Life, The Internet & Everything.

[ralfonzo83]

I realised, the older I get the less I like TV in the background.

[gobzmacked]

Your videos are interesting, you enjoy what you do and you don't have to justify that. And you do make a difference. Thank you for being you.

[andymooseman]

Thanks, i appreciate your comment :)

[21stCenturyCat]

as they said in business studies... it's all about 'opportunity cost'. And if you're happy with what 'you're not doing' by being on YT (or any other past time for that matter) then what's the problem?

[andymooseman]

I agree. I don't really have a problem with what i do here. But, it's amazing how many others think that you're wasting your time on the Internet, or social networking :)

[SunnyDazStormyNitz]

We'll take that background sound anytime. Neither of us turn on things just for background. If we have music or TV on it is because we are paying attention to it at the time. Otherwise we turn it off. We are a bit behind on the internet this week but pretty much all we do as far as TV is online also. Watching our shows at our leisure is much more appealing to us.

[andymooseman]

Maybe i should record the sea & just play it back when i feel the need to relax?

I find myself watching less & less TV actually on the TV. Like you, i tend to watch it online. The BBC iPlayer is great for that :)

[OhCurt]

Yeah, well said.

TV... well, it's all online as well anymore now, isn't it? If I'm not watching it there, I'm not watching it (DVD collection notwithstanding). Can't tolerate it as background noise anymore. Can't believe I ever did.

Sounds like he's one of the folks who think you can't do other things while surfing these sites. I'm constantly multitasking.

Except when I read, of course.

Or when I'm driving.

:o)

[andymooseman]

I think most of us multi-task when using the Internet. it's really designed to be used that way.

I can never understand how people can read & either watch TV, or listen to music at the same time. i like my attention to be on the book i'm reading.

A newspaper, or magazine is a little different though :)

[BassinJason702]

You mentioned "doing something that matters" instead of being on the internet. Now, I can see at least two sides to this, one being, how familiar a person is with computers/internet greatly impacts their view of its usefulness. I know people who think the internet is literally only for porn and e-mail, these people are terribly mis/under-informed. The internet is a tool for learning and a good one if used properly. Television was a mediocre tool for a while but is in the end too filtered. pe@ce

[andymooseman]

"Doing something that matters" varies from person to person. I certainly don't consider the Internet as wasted time, but plenty of people do. As you say, they are often misinformed.

I think that the standard of TV has dropped over the past years. There is still some great TV being made. it's just a lot harder to find & i'm not sure i can be bothered to look for it anymore :)

[anakin1814]

What's the saying about "you'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands" from? LOL

[MrRandomWritings]

Being on my own a lot lately I have music or radio on except when I am writing - internet is taking a firm back seat at the moment!

[andymooseman]

We all need to prioritise sometimes Brian :)

[1DRock37167]

I cant sleep without the TV playing in the background, neither can my brother or sister. Its all conditioning I suppose.

[andymooseman]

I know you are not alone in that. So many people do the same.

Personally, i can think of nothing worse :)

[Aaroncast86]

My view is somewhat similar to your own. YouTube is a relaxation or outlet for me. Or at least that's how I picture it in my head. Now I think about it... the videos I make, the process of making them is often rather stressful. Readjusting. Endless retakes to get a sentence right. Rubbish.

That's mainly why I've decided to go 'back to basics' with my videos, be more laid back with them. I'll keep the format of a bit of a talk then a fact and a joke and a recommendation BUT aim to have fun.

[andymooseman]

Whether it's the amount of time we're on the Internet, or making videos. We all have to do what we're comfortable with.

As you've done, we sometimes have to re-evaluate.

That's not a bad thing.

Best of luck with the new back to basics approach :)

[anakin1814]

My family never understands the amount of time I spend online..and yet, they seem to have the tv or sports on all day long. I'm finding that with the exception of 2 or 3 tv shows, I don't even turn my tv on anymore...But my laptop is always in front of me!

[andymooseman]

As somebody said elsewhere in these comments. They have been accused of having "no life" because of the amount of time they spend online. i wonder how many of those people waste their lives watching TV all day/night long.

People never seem to equate TV watching as wasted time. Whereas the Internet is often viewed that way, especially amongst older people.

I think you'd need an operation to get that laptop away from you! ;)

[ArgentineShamrock]

My time watching YT is when most people are sleeping; my husband doesn't find it interesting at all. I have a regular life and my own separate internet life; most of our friends don't bother with neither YT/FB. When I found YT years ago I was so amazed and excited at what I saw, but I learned not to comment about it to family or friends because they didn't seem to get it. I don't sign in here as often as I used to though; years ago I couldn't go a day w/o YT. Learned to balance it all :)

[andymooseman]

I think yours is a very common story. We sometimes even feel we need to keep our Internet & especially our YT life, separate from our friends, as they just don't "get it"

just think what they're missing :)

[samsarajade]

Maybe your thoughts are your background noise!

[andymooseman]

That's a thought. You could be right.

Some have tinnitus & i have my thoughts. I bet a lot of people would rather have tinnitus! :)

[kenrg]

Sensible talk radio? What a concept! ;^)

Balance is difficult. The time I have for watching videos is often quite limited, but I usually have email and twitter on in the background throughout the day. I do watch a bit of TV in the evening, but it's what my wife and I are doing together, whereas YouTube is more what I do on my on time.

[andymooseman]

TV watching is often more of a family thing, which is good Whereas using the Internet is often a solitary occupation. Plus, my wife has no interest in computers, or the Internet at all.

Balance is the key & as you say, is not always easy to achieve :)

[LeSaMilano]

I only have time for checking in now and then- college work is keeping me away from my online life much of the day and most evenings I'm doing school work - that only leaves time for sleep so I can get up and do it all over again.

Don't have a TV - if watch anything it's TV online. I like the background noise in this video :) I do like FB to stay in touch and rediscover people I forgot I knew! can't be bothered with the game apps!

[andymooseman]

I hope the college course is going well & best of luck with it.

I can quite happily put up with this kind of background noise. The sound of the sea is very relaxing.

I don't like those FB game apps either. Now they are a waste of time imho :)

[Ranblv]

Some people at work call me MR. "no life" because of the time I spend online.

Some days I agree with them, but most days I don't.

[andymooseman]

I'm sure we get called things like that at times.

As so,mebody else has ponted out. The Internet is still viewed as just for porn, free stuff & email.

I often wonder what those people do in their "real life" that makes them any different to the way they view us?

I would see watching crap on the TV all night as having "no life" :)

[NiteBlogger]

In addition - mate & I go to concerts, travel, etc. plus watch a few tv shows together. Luckily we both enjoy surfing the net & don't feel it interferes with "our time". Perhaps it's because he is also a computer artist & appreciates all that it brings to our lives. It's computers, after all, that have paid the bills for over 20 years. LOL

[andymooseman]

For you it's a case of "Life, the computer & everything" then? :)

[NiteBlogger]

I'm not sure I'm getting what you wrote...

If it's computer is everything to us...then yes. Course, family is first on list - but they live far away. Second is friends, many long time friends live thousands of miles away & the close ones are all busy trying to eke out a living here in CA; occasional lunches, phone calls & eMails define our relationships. I usually spend 2 months each year with family - (this year - 4) I'd be there now - but circumstances have temporally postponed my trip. ;(

[andymooseman]

You got my meaning spot on :)

[NiteBlogger]

I pretty much agree with you, some peeps need that constant background noise (radio/tv chatter)...I am not one of them (unless it's nature)

I'll add that even though I pretty much, live, breath, eat, sleep, & even dream computer - I don't indulge in games - one of the big turn offs to FB, (that has driven me away from it.)

Beyond social & YT, net gives me news faster than tv, recipes are unlimited, as is info on any subject one can think of & I sub (and pay) for software training.

[andymooseman]

The sounds of nature are always worth listening to

I've never been a gamer either, in any form. That just don't hold an attraction for me.

Those Facebook games/apps are a big turnoff for me too & one of the main reasons i don't go there very often. it's all people seem to talk about.

Each to their own i guess?

I've already recorded a kind of follow up to this vlog & i'm also thinking of doing a 3rd about modern day distractions. We'll see :)

[phekwig]

I'm at the point of catching up to all of my subscriptions on three channels... What will I do next, Facebook? *Shudder*

[andymooseman]

Three channels?! I have enough trouble keeping up with the one. I do have an alternative channel, but never seem to use it anymore.

Facebook makes me shudder at times too :)

[fehquig]

I found that with three channels I can go away for a few days and instead of missing videos that are more than five pages in, I get to see them all because I can keep fifteen pages of videos by being subscribed to different channels from my different channels... That's how come my first comment on your videos is always from the phekwig channel where I view you, but when I click on my email notifications it takes me to another browser that's logged in to YouTube from the fehquig channel...

[fehquig]

Confused yet? LOL

[andymooseman]

Thanks for the explanation. I've often wondered why your comments come from so many different channels :)

[dl737]

I would say up till the middle part of this year, I was spending way too much time on-line. Between YT, twitter, facebook, stickam, etc - even at work. Not good. I think I have recently found a good balance. Spend enough time to catch up as necessary. Do vids twice a week (as opposed to every day), maybe a couple of tweets here and there - you get the idea,

[dl737]

I dare say, the quality of my life has gone up since then. It seems those sites became more of a job than a hobby - I think I have my priorities straight now. I even read a lot more again :)

[andymooseman]

2 - Your job vs hobby point is a very valid one. I think a lot of people fall into that trap & allow this all to become a bit of a job.

It should always be enjoyable & you should never feel obligated to do anything.

It sounds like you've acheived a good balance Danny :)

[andymooseman]

1 - The temptation can be very strong, i agree. That balance is very important.

I actually think it's good that i can't really use the Internet at work. I'd never get anything done if i could.

I was never one for Stckam & i'm not a big fan of Facebook either. Too many people playing silly games for my liking.

I like to think that the time i spend on the Internet is spent wisely. I'm sure others would disagree though!

[AngryAussie]

The internet isn't life - it's much more important than that.

[andymooseman]

You may well be right. How on earth did we ever manage without it? :)

[willyIV]

I feel the same as you do about the TV. Radio is tuned to NPR for drive time news and "talk." Interest in the web & social networking as a hobby is one way of looking at it, though I don't feel my interest or time spent has reached that level. I could, however, almost smell the sea!

[andymooseman]

That's the great thing about going for a walk along the beach. i can combine more than one interest.

The Internet allows me to do that as well :)