The year in review: ‘How should we rate 2008?’ by | Prospect Magazine January 2009 issue 154

Mark Cousins film critic

Overrated The most overrated event of the year, though it was a process rather than an event, was the spread of wireless internet. Everywhere’s a hot spot now. I want far far more cool spots, where I can feel the bracing reality of a place. Offline is a brilliant, endangered species. Similarly, online identity is overrated. So many people went on Facebook this year, half heartedly, as if it’s an obligation. It’s no longer fun to have a digital self.

Jury’s out on this one. Is internet connection so addictive that we can no longer be trusted to switch off?