The Age of Communication

First it was the Age of Information, now it is the Age of Communication. Never before in the history of man has there been a time when communication has been so easy and instant. Micro technology has made it possible for the mass-production of miniature gadgets designed expressly for the purpose of exchanging information. Modern mobile phones have transformed the process beyond imagination. You can’t walk down a street without seeing someone engaged in texting or speaking on their phone. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, on average children are spending over 7 hours a day online, and some as much as 10 hours using multiple devices!

Where does this actually get them? How does it enrich their lives? Much of their conversation, whether by text, email or the spoken word goes in one ear and out the other. A great deal of it is pointless.

My older grandchildren spend hours and hours chatting to one another online by means of Facebook, Skype or other social networks. The younger generation see this indulgence as essential. Without a mobile phone connected to the Internet they are totally lost. Their lives are worthless – not worth living. No longer can they chat to their friends. They are totally lost. Should the unthinkable happen, and they cannot have access to their addiction; for survival and sanity they might even ‘think’ of doing something positive and helpful, such as washing dishes, doing homework, tidying their bedroom or ironing their clothes. There is a forlorn hope that they might find time for sleeping, eating properly and taking exercise.

What does the future hold for these slaves to communication? They will be conned into thinking they exist in a virtual world, a world of pleasure, abandon and eternal delights. Muscular atrophy, mental disorder and early death will be the reality. Will they take note? Will they take action? Nope!

Links

Is This the Age of Communication?

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/zion-lights/is-this-the-age-of-communication_b_2372785.html

Effects of the Communication Age

http://www.atechnologysociety.co.uk/effects-communication-age.html

In the communication age, connection is everything

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/andrewkantor/2005-12-08-mesh-networking_x.htm

Effective Communication in the Information Age

http://www.ehow.com/about_6785210_effective-communication-information-age.html

The New Communications Age

http://connectedplanetonline.com/mag/telecom_new_communications_age/

Kaiser Family Foundation

http://www.kff.org/