Living Without the Internet

A new study by Pew Internet & American Life Project says that 88 percent of Americans consider the Internet an important part of their daily lives, and nearly 66 percent of those surveyed said they're more frequently able to participate in favorite activities because they can do them online. Some interesting factoids: 87 percent of Web surfers who need maps get them online; 79 percent of people who communicate regularly with family and friends do so online; 55 percent of users who buy sporting and entertainment tickets do so online; and 44 percent of users who do banking engage in online banking activities. Is the online experience perfect? Of course not. But if the study is any indication, our habits aren't so much being shaped by the availability of the Internet as they are being made more efficient where it makes sense. And that, as Martha Stewart would surely agree, is a good thing