Can you hear me now? (Gawd, I hope not)

Can you hear me now? is an editorial by Allison Lazarz, executive editor of the Saint Michael's College on-line student publication which say what I have been thinking for quite some time.

The prevalence of cell phones is a boon for all and a bane for many. It is wonderful that our collective worlds have shrunk to a device smaller than a pack of cigarettes and certainly more healthy. We are available to family, friends, and coworkers anytime and nearly any place but what price, other than $40/month, are we paying? What are the actual benefits of being available? If you have a cell phone, are you now expected to actually have it turned on? Have people expections become unrealistic because of instant communication?

"Hey, If I can contact you anytime and anyplace, why can't your respond likewise?"

When we sent actually paper letters to friends and family, we would not expect a response for days, weeks or even months. Now, with the advancement of email into most nooks & crannies of our culture, we expect a reply by the next day, before the end of the day, or even within the hour. Now, with instant messaging (IM), the "send-receive" loop is even tighter, often so our the expections, real and perceived.

Let me assure you, I am the farest thing from being a luddite or neo-luddite. I have three IM clients running, 4 email accounts, high speed internet at home and office, a cell phone with nation-wide coverage & text messaging, and a mailbox near the front door of my home. However, I will be defying convention and getting rid of my cell phone. Why? Just no real need. When I am available, there is a phone nearby which I will answer immediately. When I am not available, there may be phone nearby, however I will not answer it or take the message unless it is a family emergency. Since the amount of time I am unavailable is a very small percentage of the total time. I think it's fair to spend as I see fit, i.e. talking with people in person, having coffee, reading the paper at a cafe, watching a play, listening to a lecture or just sitting on the porch watching people.

In our rush to "not miss anything", it would be ironic if we were doing just that.