In the wild and wonderful tapestry of American life, where the pursuit of instant happiness is just a click away, something very strange has occurred. After the US Supreme Court ruled that states can protect children from online porn by strengthening age verification requirements, the state of Wyoming did so.

I know the intention was to protect minors and kudos for that. But I also wonder how many people are stepping outside their doors and blinking at its brightness, pointing up and asking neighbors what that ball of light in the sky is.

For a decade or two, we, as a nation, have been hunched over our glowing rectangles, marinating in the glow of pixels, utterly convinced that the pinnacle of human achievement involved watching things no one in their right mind should ever watch. Our vitamin D levels plummeted, our posture resembled that of a Quasimodo cosplayer, and our social skills withered faster than a forgotten houseplant. The outside world? Merely a rumor.

Then came the legislative hammer. Wyoming required age restrictions on porn requiring people to identify themselves. Initial panic and a collective gasp echoed across bedrooms and basements as millions stared at “Error 404: Content Not Found” with the same dazed incomprehension that I show when struggling with my kids’ homework.

Deprived of their usual digital diversions, people like moles emerged from a long, dark tunnel, eyes squinting, tentatively poking their heads outside.

“What is that yellow disc in the sky?” one confused man was heard to whisper, shielding his eyes. “It’s so… bright! And… warm!”

His neighbor, equally perplexed, pointed to a tree and complimented whoever worked on the CGI.

First, it was just a tentative step onto the porch. Then, perhaps, a confused wander into the backyard. Neighbors, who hadn’t seen each other since the dial-up era, suddenly found themselves making awkward eye contact over fences.

Soon, parks such as Yellowstone filled with pale, confused, blinking individuals.

And then…it happened. Perhaps the most astonishing side effect has been that the majority of human interaction has not been trolling, wild accusations of the other being a Nazi, or demanding to know where the other one was located so they could “deliver a beat down.”

People began speaking with actual people. When something funny was said, one man was stunned to hear a loud croak emit from his mouth. He became confused because he hadn’t asked for an emoji. Some joined book clubs, others joined community groups, and some actually paid attention to local political meetings, much to the chagrin of local politicians.

Some even started making eye contact during conversations. And one young man almost talked to a girl in real life.

Let’s hope for more of that.

So, thank you, state legislatures for reintroducing so many into this surprisingly well lit, unpixelated, and real world.