Seems like mobile technology is the theme this week...the Economist has an article/interview titled Nomads at Last that explores how technology (well, wireless communications) is changing how people live and work. An appropriate quote from Castells sums it up nicely: "Permanent connectivity, not motion, is the critical thing". I spend more time most days interacting with people in other countries than with people down the hallway. And I suspect the ability for people to interact outside of geographical constraints will replace much of what it means to "be here". Several times this week, I've approached people standing at counters, under the assumption they were there to provide a service for me, only to discover that they were in rather animated conversations with someone on their phone (go Bluetooth). "Here" means less and less. Connected means more and more.
Posted by gsiemens at April 12, 2008 3:16 PM | TrackBack