We need to talk about what happened on October 4, 2021 at 11:40 AM EST. As if the stress from the ongoing pandemic wasn’t enough to sink our battleships, three of our beloved social media platforms magically disappeared in the blink of an eye. The next six hours would be agonizing as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp users screamed into the void after restarting their devices countless times with nothing to show but a blank screen. Help desks around the world were flooded with complaints as Facebook’s stock plummeted.
The outage was so severe, property management companies – who rely heavily on social media to communicate with prospective residents – were forced to recalibrate their communication strategies. Meme hoarders and influencers alike weren’t able to satisfy their habitual itch. So, what do we do the next time there’s an outage? We’ve come up with a list of ideas that are sure to leave you partying like it’s 1999.
New VHS, Who Dis?
The inevitable has happened. Your WiFi is down and you refuse to sacrifice your precious cellular data to stream your favorite movies and shows. Sure, you can break out the DVD’s and Blu Rays, but they’re scratched. Plus, 90’s nostalgia is totally in. Out of the depths of your closet comes a collection of VHS tapes from your 10th birthday party that you never bothered removing the plastic wrap from. With the cassette player and cables in hand, you’re ready to binge watch Disney movies. Isn’t it nice to let your inner kid out once in awhile?
Become A Bookworm
Reading a book is a great way to take your mind off things, especially when sites such as Facebook and Instagram take up so much of our spare time. Sure, audiobooks and e-books are great, but there’s just something so satisfying about holding a book in your hand and feeling the paper glide through your fingers. Scientists also agree that reading has many benefits, such as increased emotional intelligence and stress relief.
Nintend-WHOA
Calling all gamers and Goldeneye lovers. You don’t need social media or the internet to fulfill your interactive desires. A good old-fashioned gaming console is a pleasant reminder of what used to be. If your favorite social media platforms are down and you still have your childhood gaming gear on hand, give it a good dusting (don’t forget to blow into the cartridge!) and spend some time reliving the good old days. Whoa, dude! Talk about a throwback adventure, am I right?
Howdy, Neighbor!
We see you scrollin’. We aint hatin’. Clearly that means you’re back from the 90’s and have internet access! With over 1 billion users and counting, TikTok is the world’s most downloaded app. The video sharing platform is a hot tamale for users, influencers, and businesses to connect for a laugh. Let’s not forget about our dear old friends YouTube and Twitter. In fact, during the outage, social refugees flocked to these platforms to share their frustrations and get their fix. Meanwhile, social butterflies enjoyed each other’s company and in our quiet, tightly-knit apartment communities.
Since its launch in 2004, Facebook quickly became a preferred method of communication between loved ones around the globe. It also established a sense of community for niche groups with few places in the outside world to gather. By 2021, its convergence brought us unlimited entertainment. Losing access can be daunting, so we encourage you to focus on the positive: there is more to your spacious apartment than a screen on your smartphone.
At Millennium, we keep things fun so you can live your best life. If you need more entertainment ideas, give us a call at 216-831-1400 or send us an email. Want to stay in-the-know and receive special perks? Join our email list. Signing up is easy, free, and secure.
