If the Internet was a Race...

The internet.

A vague…can’t hold it in your hands or shake it…but it exists…Thing.

Do you remember when you first heard of the World Wide Web?
Back when the phenomenon of the Net was gaining momentum…we had just moved to Africa.

We heard of the wonders of the “race”. The amazing information. The immediate accessibility. The endless possibilities…

We eagerly joined in to “race” with the world. We wanted to enter the fray and keep the pace. Most other countries seemed to have a speedy, reliable, well-trained “athlete” in their “lane”. Month after month, year after year, the athletes improved…gained strength…ran longer and faster…and were much more impressive.

In our lane, the progress was slower. Amidst the cheering fans of the competitors, we nervously glanced at our athlete and wondered exactly what was going on. Zeroing in on our racer, we recognized the laughable nature of the situation. We searched for another participant. We felt an odd mix of panic and embarrassment. How did we end up with this guy? Ultimately, in desperation, we accepted the painful realization that there was no other option…
We sidled up to our "runner" and began to coax. We encouraged. We motivated. We paid money. We prayed. But in the end…as the speedy opponents lapped us again and again…we accepted the sad, sad fact…that our lane’s success rested on the hardened shell of…a turtle.

Slow and not always sure…

Many times…completely withdrawn and immovable…

Sigh…

As we continue to struggle through the race…that is, the internet…we are doing all we can…

But in the end…we are depending on….a turtle.

Thank you for bearing with us…