Technology gets a bad rap as you hear everyone talking about how we’re disconnected from our fellow human beings because we’re so wrapped up in technology. How we’re texting during conversations, how we’re talking on cell phones all the time, how we’ve become isolated by technology. However, what everyone fails to mention is that at the other end of those texts and phone calls is a real live human being that we’re connecting with. Personally, I feel more connected than ever because technology lets me share my experiences as I’ve having them, versus after the fact.
Caitlin is one of the biggest Beatles fans in the world and I was fortunate enough to be able to visit Abbey Road two years ago and due to technology, I was able to call her from Abbey Road and share the experience with her as it was happening. If I would have had a camera phone, I could have snapped a picture and sent it to her instantaneously. That is the power that technology has to connect people.I connected with one of my oldest friends from outside of Koldinghus castle in Germany. It was incredibly cool to call her from the castle and tell her all about Denmark and share my experience with her. Because I usually end up traveling alone, it is wonderful to be able to share my experiences with people as I’m having them.
Technology also keeps me connected to my kids as they travel. Caitlin is in Washington D.C. this week and we’ve been getting text messages from her all week updating us on her trip. We’ve also texted her and when we ran into one of her friends at a restaurant we texted her and said, “Vlad says hi.” At first she didn’t believe that we’d actually run into him, but once I snapped a photo with my camera phone and sent it to her phone, she said to tell him hello.
Sometimes when you’re out and about you see something that makes you chuckle and you want to share it with someone. I was out the other night and came across a copy of the book, “Things Drunk People Say.” It made me think of an associate of mine who has a penchant for calling people drunk and saying stupid things. I was able to snap a cover of the book cover and send it to another friend with a note, “Does this remind you of anyone?” Maybe it was mean, maybe it was catty, but it was real and genuine and it let me and a friend share a virtual chuckle.I agree that some of us are addicted to our Crackberries and spend way too much time checking our work email, but there is true bliss to be had in technology to connect with our loved ones and share what’s going on in our world with them.
Cairn by Cairn 