Chapter 1: The Early Days of Internet Access

In 1998, my educational institution first secured an internet connection known as a leased line, boasting a speed of around 10 Mbps. This connection was meant for a campus of 1,500 students, but in reality, it felt like a luxury. Students were assigned specific time slots for internet access, often limited to just four sessions over a six-month semester. At that time in a developing country, home internet was still an elusive dream, as telephone lines were a prerequisite that many families couldn’t meet. The excitement over telecom companies vying for home broadband only heightened our hopes for future tech careers.

When it came to utilizing the college internet, the primary activity was sending emails as per institutional policy. However, most students had no one to email, and professors rarely bothered to learn how to use email clients. In our final year, between the assigned three weekly slots, our focus was mainly on compiling HR emails for job applications. The 30-minute sessions often involved reconnecting to the internet for over 15 minutes, leaving little time to achieve our objectives. If you were quick on the keyboard, you might succeed; if not, you'd have to wait for the next opportunity.

Aside from emails, the web offered limited appealing destinations—mostly Yahoo and its peers. We often discussed various websites offline, but when the coveted 30-minute slot arrived, we were met with restrictions. Surprisingly, full access, including browsing sites with graphics, was only granted to faculty, many of whom had little understanding of the internet's capabilities.

A year later, only a few affluent friends had internet connections at home—typically the full package with graphics. We often visited their homes to explore the internet, which rarely extended beyond viewing pictures of our favorite movie stars.

Chapter 2: The Shift to Workplace Internet

Before the turn of the millennium, internet access was still a luxury. However, within a few years, it transitioned into a commodity, initially in the corporate world. Corporate connections were inherently broadband, far superior to what educational institutions offered. My boss at a software service firm emphasized the need for us to log eight billable hours and an additional three to five hours for offshore client meetings. The only incentive to endure such demanding expectations was the allure of free internet.

The demand for networking professionals surged, with IT companies and ISPs hiring en masse. Network certifications became highly sought after, leading to a peculiar scenario where companies either had no network administrator or one who was overly competent but restricted by management. This often resulted in an environment where employees would frequently engage in browsing, easing the tension of looming deadlines with live sports updates and news.

Chat messengers became a staple of workplace culture, transforming communication dynamics. Before the influx of spam, Yahoo chat rooms fostered discussions that rivaled today’s ClubHouse, with programmers often finding love in these virtual spaces. Those days of unrestricted browsing felt like a wild west of digital exploration.

Chapter 3: The Rise of Online Content Creation

As the IT market became saturated in the years following Y2K, clients increasingly sought cost-effective back-office solutions. The rise of content sharing led to an influx of non-productive-for-work (NPFW) content online, with platforms like blogs, IMDB, Reddit, Orkut, and early Facebook gaining popularity. This surge necessitated a new level of regulation regarding workplace internet use. VPNs and firewalls emerged as standard measures to maintain productivity, yet browsing retail sites like Amazon.com or BestBuy.com during work hours became a communal activity, especially before holidays. Retailers quickly recognized the profitability of the internet, leading to Amazon's establishment of its public cloud, AWS, in 2006, soon followed by Microsoft’s Azure.

The pace of online content creation was gradually picking up, capturing people's attention beyond traditional work hours. Platforms like WordPress and Blogger gained traction, although discussions around side hustles were still rare. However, for those who built substantial followings, the constant web engagement proved fruitful.

Online bill payments became commonplace, allowing tasks to be completed more efficiently. The challenges of the digital age, including increased anxiety levels, were not yet prevalent. The 2000s marked a period of widespread appreciation for the internet's speed and reliability, leading to technology-driven innovations post-2008 market crash.

Chapter 4: The Disconnected World of Over-Connected Systems

Recently, I sought to open a business bank account with Revolut, drawn by its promise of quick and free service—unlike any local bank. After making my application, I promptly received an automated email requesting a selfie and personal ID. Without hesitation, I provided both, believing that such straightforward requirements would expedite the process.

However, the next day brought another request: proof of business registration. To my surprise, I discovered that my documents were not automatically verified against national databases, as I had assumed. Instead, I was required to submit paper documentation, even though my application was already in the queue.

After uploading the necessary proof, I received an email saying my application was rejected, despite providing evidence of my pending registration. Frustrated, I attempted to contact support, but their community forum felt like an inadequate solution for addressing personal concerns.

To resolve the bottleneck, I contacted the government office handling applications, only to learn that they were overwhelmed with requests. The spokesperson explained that processing times were slow and that updates from the application register often lagged. As a tech-savvy individual, I was aware of the various layers involved in such systems. Yet, I was troubled by the reliance on human oversight in an age where technology was expected to streamline processes.

This experience reminded me of past data privacy issues, such as the Cambridge Analytica scandal, which heightened scrutiny over data handling. While the intention behind these delays may have been to enhance security, the consequences for everyday individuals were increasingly burdensome.

The tech advancements have lowered the initial barriers to customer engagement but introduced new forms of inefficiency. The bureaucratic complexities have merely migrated online without resolution, replacing straightforward processes with redundant checks.

Ultimately, I signed up for Revolut in under a minute but found myself unable to access its services after two days of follow-ups. Whether or not I ever utilize their offerings, my registration counts towards their customer metrics, contributing to their growth.

In the meantime, should I choose to visit the business authorization office, I risk encountering an absent staff member working from home, or I could be unwittingly jumping the queue—trapped in a system that no one seems able to navigate.

The reality of the modern internet age is that, despite its promise of connectivity, it has led to an array of inefficiencies that impede progress. This situation starkly contrasts with the simpler days when technology served as a tool for straightforward tasks.

In the video "The REAL reason your internet is slow (and how to fix)," explore the common pitfalls that lead to sluggish internet speeds and practical solutions for improvement.

The video "Slow Down, Share Stories, Make Connections" discusses the importance of taking a step back in our hyper-connected world to nurture real-life relationships and connections.