Who watches TV, listens to an IPOD, reads the newspaper, answers the cell phone, while checking stock quotes on same cell phone, while talking to one's spouse, and thinking about what to do next?
Mark Glaser at PBS.org did a piece on Convergence of Media in our technological world, and I couldn't help but think about Convergence in our everyday world. http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2007/01/has_the_promise_of_converged_d.html
I miss the simple days when you turned on the TV. And off. You spoke to a friend at dinner. And you heard one another's voice, for the guests at the next table weren't beeping, and ringing with the latest ring tones, and raising their voices above the RING&SHOUT FOR THE WORLD TO HEAR.
I long for the days of yore where simplicity reigned, focus was accomplished with ease, and splicing one's attention, the modern response to 21st Century's Convergence - was never heard of.
I believe our Attention Deficit Disorder and McDonald's culture can be partly blamed on convergence. Personally, it's not for focused--do one thing well at a time--me.
As you might imagine, I can't stand news shows with a ticker tape running at the bottom of the screen, while the show is on. Where are my eyes and attention supposed to go?
How much different information, and different possibilities for escaping the present moment, attacking all at once, can the modern human handle, maintaining mental health and healthy relationships?
