Tommy Collison

Alan Costello was interviewed for the paipéar today about teens using technologies like Twitter and Facebook and all the usual suspects, which got me thinking (yes Dad, I know what thinking does to me) about the digitalization of our world.

Are @replies and Wall posts replacing face to face communication?

It’s a wee bit ironic me writing this on my iPhone, isn’t it? Especially since I intend to rebutt the critics of modernization. I always liked irony though – we go back a long way, me and him.

What is modernization though – it’s a phrase that gets thrown around. To me, it’s things like cellular networks covering the entirety of the country. You’d think that while on the M7, I should never have to see the words “no service”.

Cellular networks too, are lovely because that means I can utilize all of the iPhone’s considerable features, for example, Google Maps.

Which means, while stuck in traffic in Mountrath, I can plot the alternative route (although proving to be unnecessary) and avoid the wolves. Excellent!

So yeah, if digitalization is the difference between getting lost and being eaten by a grizzly bear against getting to Kildare on time and alive, I’ll take technology.

Yes, I am exaggerating. Your favourite 15 year old redheaded cane-using blogger is quite safe in John’s capable driving hands, although one other occupant may say different. Ah well, I love ya John.

Getting back to the post’s title, and Alan’s article, while technology is growing stronger, face to face communication (I affectionately refer to it as ‘what to what’ :P) isn’t going anywhere.