Get Connected

Blackberries. They are everywhere. I noticed a man who basically looked homeless pulling a Trio out of his pocket yesterday. That was a big "what the hell?" moment.

I have a unique experience with such devices. I was a slave to one for about 2 years (until I switched jobs and moved to DC). It looks like I won't be able to avoid not having one for much longer. I keep thinking to myself that this time will be different - much like the mentality that people have when they get out of an abusive relationship just to get back into it - because it's a crutch for them. They can't live without the significant other, but they know that being with that person won't do them any good. That's how I see the blackberry - as an abuser. It takes away all of your freedom, it ties you to work because it makes you totally accessible to everyone. You have no social life. It controls you. If it rings, you answer immediately. You, essentially, are the blackberry's bitch.

My question is simple. What did we do before the cell phone craze and before the handheld e-mail devices? We simply talked to one another face to face. It baffles me as to why this is such an antiquated notion. Even in the office, we e-mail from cube to cube. Why not take the effort to actually get up, go to the other person's cube and ask them whatever it is that we need to know? Have we gotten that lazy as a society? I don't want the answer to that question.

I'm currently attending a conference and all throughout the devices are buzzing, the master summoning the slave to read it, to answer it, to give it full and undivided attention. I wonder how many people are listening to the speaker and how many are basically still in the office - doing the same work they would be doing normally, just in a different location.

I think I'm going to enjoy my freedom for as long as I possibly can.