This morning I was thinking more about my comments yesterday regarding the growing disconnects between people. I thought I’d say a little more about it today, as it’s an interesting topic.
In 94′ I’d gotten involved in my research on the economics of digital networks. The internet was just becoming “the Internet” at the time. The first web browsers were popping up, only a few web sites, and a lot of text based sites existed. At the time the net was my best research tool. Lots of people sharing all information, and it was extremely “open source” oriented.
I walked away from the initial research extremely enthused. My thought was, “the net, used the right way, could connect us all like never before.” More than a decade later I’m not so sure. We’ve got so many ways to connect, and I think our usage of the latest tech has actually disconnected real moments.
It initially struck me that communications technology might not be the great connector while building a CDMA network for Sprint. I spent two years with Sprint (then the laid us all off) building their first digital PCS network. The engineering was a ton of fun. The staff I dealt with was great. But as I got into what we were doing I began asking about the implications of communication from anywhere to anyone who would listen to me. None of my co-workers were interested.
See, when I started out I’d never owned a cell phone, never had a pager. And while our network was still being built my cell phone rang infrequently, my pager never went off. Once the network went live it was completely a different story.
Getting home from work I’d usually be on the cell phone working out more issues and problems. At dinner I’d get paged, and have to call in immediately. Late night calls on the cell phone were more frequent from techs with questions. My home life became fractured. I wasn’t really there, I was still at work.
Over time this phenomena increased. Off time was never off time. I’d be out with my ex, but on the phone with work. Our direct connection (in person) was constantly interrupted with communications technology. And that’s been increasing for everyone.
At this point I’d say more than 30% of the people I encounter out and about are on a cell phone or texting at the time I see them. A little nod, a gesture that they’re tied up and will be with me shortly. They’re not connecting with those in person, just a digital voice representation of somebody elsewhere. I don’t know if it’s ok, or it’s going to be trouble down the road.
I can tell you, those deploying and using this stuff the most don’t think about it at all. My old boss Tony said it best when I asked him a decade ago about the sociological implications of the digital revolution. “I don’t think about that stuff Rich. This is a job, I get a check, and then I do what I really want to.”
For me, I’m going to re-connect with myself today. A gray wet day, some laundry to do, and then some relaxation time on the couch. Staying away from the cell phone, as I would like some quiet time. 
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Cell phones today are so different than they were years ago… I’m not talking about the technology, but the what they represent.
It seems like now it’s more social plumage than the “tool” it used to be.
I have a cellphone for my primary contact. however, I know I annoy my friends due to the fact I rarely have it within earshot.
I tend not to give out the number to very many, nor do i text message.
I remember the days of true communicating with others via pen to paper using complete words and sentenaces or face-to-face for an exchange complete with body language being expressed along with the intonation.
with cellphones there isn’t any personal interaction any longer.