'Are You the Internet?'—The Day a Tech Support Agent Became the Web (and Saved a Life)
If you’ve ever worked in tech support, you know: some calls are routine, some are wild, and a rare few become the stuff of legend. Today, we dive into the unforgettable true story of the day a tech support agent wasn’t just fixing modems—he was the internet itself. And, just maybe, a lifesaver.
Picture this: You’re sitting in a call center, coffee in one hand, headset on, ready to help someone figure out why their cat videos won’t load. Suddenly, a voice from the Midwest breaks through the hum of your day. There’s urgency, there’s panic, and—oh, by the way—there’s a wildfire raging, the power is out, and someone desperately needs to “get on the internet.” What could possibly go wrong?
When Tech Support Becomes "The Internet"
Let’s set the stage. Our hero, u/forbinwasright, worked as a Tier 2 tech support agent for a major ISP, fielding calls from all over the country, not just his Northeast base. Most days, the biggest drama involves someone’s Wi-Fi password or a squirrel chewing through a cable. But on this day, the stakes were far higher.
He picks up a call from a woman in the Midwest—an area currently besieged by wildfires and, as it turns out, rolling power outages. She’s worried because her internet isn’t working. Using his trusty remote tools, he tries to query her modem, but it’s a no-go. No signal. Nada. He digs deeper. The reason? The entire area is without power. No electricity means no blinking lights, no modem, no Netflix, and certainly no internet.
When he breaks the news to her, she confirms: “Yes, the power is out. And the fires are close. I need to check online to see when I’m supposed to evacuate.”
But here’s the twist: despite the smoke billowing into her home, she’s hoping that if she just calls her ISP, somehow the internet will magically appear… through sheer tech support willpower.
And then, the golden moment. She asks, with absolute earnestness, “Are you the internet?”
Our agent, having heard this question more times than you’d think, decides honesty is overrated. “Yes,” he replies, “I am the internet.”
With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility
Now, with the mantle of the Internet upon his shoulders, our hero realizes he has a duty greater than resetting passwords or walking someone through plugging in a router. People trust the Internet with everything these days: their news, their social life, their cat memes, and—yes—their evacuation orders.
He tells her, in his most authoritative “Internet” voice, “Ma’am, being the internet, I am telling you that you should evacuate now. Go to your evacuation location and you’ll be fine.”
Her response is immediate relief, a thank you, and a swift hang-up. Sometimes, all we need is for the Internet itself to give us permission to do what we already know is right.
Why This Story Sticks With Us
Sure, it’s a funny story—a tech support agent momentarily crowned as the living embodiment of the web. But there’s a deeper truth here, too: in moments of crisis, people will cling to any lifeline they can find. The Internet, in all its virtual omnipresence, has become that lifeline for so many of us. Whether it’s for the latest headlines, a weather alert, or a meme to lighten the mood, the web feels like an oracle that can’t be wrong.
But sometimes, when the Wi-Fi is down and the lights are out, you need a real human on the other end of the line—someone who can step out of the script, see the bigger picture, and remind you that your safety matters more than your internet connection.
The Real Heroes Behind the Screen
Let’s give a shoutout to all the tech support folks out there. They may not wear capes (or maybe they do, on casual Fridays), but they’re often the calm voice in our chaos. They know when to reboot a router, and when to gently nudge us out the door with the wisdom only “the Internet” can provide.
So next time you’re on hold with your ISP, remember: you never know when you might be talking to the Internet itself—and when that call might be the one that matters most.
Your Turn!
Have you ever had a surprisingly human moment with tech support? Or, have you ever been mistaken for a digital deity? Share your stories in the comments below! And remember—sometimes, unplugging really is the best solution.
Inspired by the true tale from u/forbinwasright on r/TalesFromTechSupport. Read the original post here.
Original Reddit Post: I am the Internet.