Exploring the fairyland that we call “Internet”
Every so often it happens that we experience what is commonly known as a paradigm shift — a new way of seeing is presented to us and there is no way to un-see what we have now perceived. The kaleidoscope through which we view reality moves ever so slightly and our vision refocuses only to discover that the landscape we thought we knew has reshaped itself into something both familiar and unfamiliar.
This is what happened when shared an essay with me, written by , which talks about the internet as fairyland. When we enter the online world, it is like walking through a portal to another plane of existence.
“the Internet” behaves less like a tool and more like a portal, a separate plane of existence layered atop everyday life. In other words, it’s the astral plane, or Fairyland.1
Ever since then, Laura and I have been talking about this idea; about what an apt descriptor of the online experience it really is and how it’s not just the internet that offers a way to other worlds. We will have more to say about it as time goes in (in fact we just recorded a couple podcast episodes discussing it, and have only barely scratched the surface — stay tuned for those in early 2026!), but in the meantime I’m writing this short post to encourage all of our readers to take the time to read what Laura has written about it in her latest series on her author substack: dephilosophize me.
The paradigm is so compelling, in fact, that she has even released a family study guide to help parents talk to their families about the concept, and my own family is already finding that the concept offers rich ground for discussion and contemplation. I hope you’ll all check it out and spread the word!
In the meantime, go read her essays. Think about the ideas, explore them, sit with them and get to know them. Then come tell us what you think!
~Lisa
Hey! Thanks. As I noted in my piece, navigating the Internet as fairyland is actually the foundation of my book so … both very very flattered (I am happy to have inspired you) and more than a little distressed to see this, lol
I’m looking forward to your book when it comes out! I’d love to know what you think of Laura’s reflections on it so far.
I am distressed that you are distressed! I have your original article linked on my landing page and the first article of the series, and had full intentions of plugging your book. How else would you like to be linked?
(I am not the most technically savvy person– I am the first to admit that Substack is my first foray into social media. I have obviously broken some sort of etiquette here of which I was not aware!)