The internet is often compared to the “real world.” Noah Smith posted an observation on Twitter on August 28, 2017 that immediately went viral:

“15 years ago, the internet was an escape from the real world. Now, the real world is an escape from the internet.”

The quote was posted on Reddit—Shower Thoughts on August 29, 2017.


Twitter
Noah Smith
@Noahpinion
15 years ago, the internet was an escape from the real world. Now, the real world is an escape from the internet.
6:46 PM - 28 Aug 2017

Reddit—Shower Thoughts
15 years ago, the internet was an escape from the real world. Now, the real world is an escape from the internet.
submitted August 29, 2017 by TheMightyCraken

31 August 2017, The Namibian (Windhoek West, Namibia), “From The Twittersphere,” pg. ?:
@Noahpinion: 15 years ago, the internet was an escape from the real world. Now, the real world is an escape from the internet.

Reddit—Shower Thoughts
15 years ago, the internet was an escape from the real world, now, the real world is an escape from the internet.
submitted December 2, 2017 by TemerariousTiger

BBC News
The top memes and viral videos of 2017
Dave Lee
North America technology reporter
29 December 2017
(...)
Noah Smith, a Bloomberg contributor, put it best in August when he tweeted: “Fifteen years ago, the internet was an escape from the real world. Now, the real world is an escape from the internet.”

Reddit—Shower Thoughts
15 years ago, the internet was an escape from the real world. Now, the real world is the escape from the internet.
submitted March 4, 2018 by Cmsee17

Reddit—Shower Thoughts
10 years ago the internet was an escape from the real world. Now, the real world is an escape from the internet.
submitted July 6, 2018 by Zosesy