There's a letter in today's Economist that worries me. We hear a lot about how people are "too connected", always-on and always available - usually for their jobs. I fear I'm one of a dying breed of those who find it easy not to communicate: I'm quite happy to refuse answering the phone if I don't want to, I don't take my mobile everywhere, and I certainly don't panic when I'm uncontactable.
But this Economist letter-writer takes issue with the received wisdom (put forward in a recent article) that the humble BlackBerry has taken over people's lives.
Sir, I'm not sure I wholly agree with your portrayal of BlackBerry users as "addicts" - strung-out slaves to their devices, lives in tatters, praying for the 12-step programme that will break their cycle of dependence.
Could it be that we actually enjoy our work and corresponding with colleagues and clients more than we care to admit? Perhaps the stolen BlackBerry moment at home, at the weekend or on holiday is actually a temporary respite from screaming children or nagging spouses - a moment of calm in the chaos of our personal lives. My BlackBerry listens well, never talks back, respects my authority, goes to sleep when I want and nags me only when I ask it to. And you wonder why we are addicted!
So, we've either got a world of communications junkies, or one where people toke a BlackBerry to get away from their home life. I'm not sure which option saddens me more, to be honest.
