Gmail Was Down for a Little Bit and the Internet Really Panicked

Google's email service was down and most people didn't know what to do with themselves

Where were you during the great Gmail Blackout of 2014?

Google's email service crashed for a couple of hours today (or a couple of minutes, depending on the user), leaving over 450 million people without access to Gmail. People didn't know what to do with themselves. Stop working? Start writing letters by hand to give to people who are sitting three cubicles down? Actually talk to coworkers? Go home? Give up on life?

So yeah, the Internet really panicked. And complained. And made jokes. You know, the usual stuff that happens online. In case you missed out on the hullabaloo, here's a quick recap of how the Internet reacted to the Big One of Jan. 24, 2014:

Right now at Gmail headquarters... pic.twitter.com/SNbE39ILyA

? Carter Bays (@CarterBays) January 24, 2014

Gmail was down 2:03pm-2:21pm Friday Jan. 24, 2014 Never Forget

? Andrew Kaczynski (@BuzzFeedAndrew) January 24, 2014

Gmail was down, so naturally the Internet turned into Lord of the Flies for like 45 minutes.

? Ryan Cooley (@ryancooley) January 24, 2014

While gmail was down, noticed this huge thing outside. Did some research, appears to be "the sun."

? Russ Bengtson (@russbengtson) January 24, 2014

Yes, gmail is back, but it?s going to be hard to face each other now that we?ve seen society at its worst.

? Eric Goldman (@EricIGN) January 24, 2014

I can't decide what is more back, gmail or backstreet

? jon (@senderblock23) January 24, 2014

In case you need a badge to wear. And by badge we mean photo for your Twitter profile.

237 Yahoo Mail users rejoice as they enjoy uninterrupted email access during Gmail outages.

? Toby Daniels (@tobyd) January 24, 2014

This is how I feel without access to gmail right now. pic.twitter.com/C8QjY6oxfy

? Rob McGarnagle (@UnseenPerfidy) January 24, 2014

If we could push a button and five people in the world would die, but Gmail comes back, we?d do it.

? 30 Rock (@nbc30rock) January 24, 2014

Meanwhile, over at Gmail pic.twitter.com/vWDr9iuDis

? HitFix (@HitFix) January 24, 2014

1) Bieber is arrested 2) Gmail goes down 3) Locusts pic.twitter.com/AkBtQkZiNn

? @midnight (@midnight) January 24, 2014

But it's back up now so everyone just chill.