The ubiquity of the internet begins*

Bluke posts about a situation in Israel where the only way to get something done is to go online, in this case, to make an appointment with the US embassy. Apparently there is no way to make such an appointment by telephone. One way. Online. (via Wolf)

Of course this is only the beginning. Presumably in ten years there will be even more things which can't be done without but can only be done online.

However, I don't think this necessarily dooms the internet bans to failure. As I understand it, in Amish culture there are various exceptions to rules against technology and permissions can be granted on a case by case basis. I see no scenario where an American chareidi living in Israel will simply be without means of contacting the US embassy. This only means that the ban will have to adapt, but not necessarily that it is dead.

* If it hadn't already begun years ago.