What Would Most Surprise A Visitor from 1991?

[Richard Hakluyt]

The general repressiveness of "free" societies would probably be rather surprising. For sure I have been surprised repeatedly in the past few years by state interference in activities which have nothing to do with them.

[The Brain]

Btw we mustn't forget reality shows. Even if there had been some embryos they hardly existed as we know them now back in 91. When Survivor aired in Sweden in 97 it was a revelation.

[grumbler]

To answer the original question, I would concur regarding the internet. It was just a toy for geeks and scientists back in 1991 and has reached billions nowadays. Mobile phones are another piece of technology that only really took off after 1991.

Moreover, the participation of the masses in creating internet content, and the extension of the internet community to children who aren't even teenagers yet, would both surprise our visitor, I think.

It isn't just the internet that makes a difference, it is the constant mobile access to the internet as well.

[Siege]

The internet-for-the-masses is clearly the big thing that's happened since 91. Ordinary people didn't think about the internet in 91.

9/11 and how freedom of speech is under siege in Europe is another thing that may be more surprising to a visitor from 91.

There is nobody under me, and I am not in Europe.
Oh wait...

[Eddie Teach]

Congratulations on no longer being the least popular thing in Europe.

[Neil]

Well, they'd have to get used to the technology and the political landscape, but there haven't really been any transformative changes in the world since then.

[Razgovory]

Well regarding the freedom of speech argument - Monthy Python, especially Life of Brian

Today that movie would never see the light of day.

What makes you think that?

[Grey Fox]

Very thin screens everywhere. That & the price of gas.

[Martinus]

Well regarding the freedom of speech argument - Monthy Python, especially Life of Brian

Today that movie would never see the light of day.

Are you kidding me?

Btw, you ignorant Hungarin prole, it was actually banned in several countries, one of them being Norway. So much for the argument that Scandinavia used to be such a fount of free speech in the past. 

[KRonn]

To answer the original question, I would concur regarding the internet. It was just a toy for geeks and scientists back in 1991 and has reached billions nowadays. Mobile phones are another piece of technology that only really took off after 1991.

Moreover, the participation of the masses in creating internet content, and the extension of the internet community to children who aren't even teenagers yet, would both surprise our visitor, I think.

It isn't just the internet that makes a difference, it is the constant mobile access to the internet as well.

I think the internet has to be one of the most significant items, for all the reasons already said. Plus for all sorts of commerce, education, news and entertainment industries, and more, it's huge.  We can shop on the internet, do research on products, run businesses, and get info on virtually anything from the internet.

It's hard to remember what things were like before the internet.   

[Martinus]

I wonder what percentage of people would be unable to function if internet suddenly disappeared. I still remember the time when you would do a research at a library. I suspect most of the people who are now in their early 20s don't.

[The Brain]

Many kids today wouldn't know how to use a card catalog. Losers.

[Slargos]

I wonder what percentage of people would be unable to function if internet suddenly disappeared. I still remember the time when you would do a research at a library. I suspect most of the people who are now in their early 20s don't.

In your hypothetical scenario, far more people than the tweenies would be catastrophically affected since a lot of systems rely on networks today. Additionally, an event that takes down the Internet would need to be cataclysmic unless it's some sort of Skynet super virus so I think you'll have more pressing concerns than how to do research in a library.

"Omg ai wonder what wud happen if cars suddenli disappered!" YE GODS.

We need a "Warning! Timmay" smilie.

[The Brain]

"Omg ai wonder what wud happen if cars suddenli disappered!" YE GODS.

Buses and trucks would become more important.

[alfred russel]

They would of course be upset by the lack of flying cars. And also suprised that the US can't put people into space anymore, though the Russians can.