The Technological Generation vs. The Old School

I love my iPhone. I thought I knew love when I had my Blackberry, but I was sorely mistaken. Well, I did sort of miss my Blackberry for the first two months or so. I had a lot of BBM contacts that I liked to speak with daily. It was a nice way to chitchat throughout the day. Now, I have my Meebo program that integrates AIM, Gchat, and even FB chat. (I opted out of the FB chat.) I think that might overwhelm me-- I need to simplify after all.

The reasons why I like my iPhone:
-It looks prettier.
-There are so many apps! I love my Yelp application in particular. The Facebook application definitely has some kinks that need to be worked out.
-Touch-screen can become likable over time. I did like the feel of the keys of my Blackberry, but I didn't like the sore thumbs I was left with.
-I love Apple. Apple girl here!
-I can jam, text, surf, and answer a call all at the same time. (Not that I really do all this at once, but it's a good point.) **Disclaimer: I do not support texting while driving. Also, watch what's going on when you cross the street or walk when you are making a quick text. I don't think that's safe either, but I'm definitely guilty of walk-texting. Ugh, sorry.

There are so many things that make a smart phone essential to its owner. Now, we all know we are guilty of texting while waiting in lines, the elevator, or who knows where and when. Do you recall ever having an occasion where someone says these very words: "When did the cell phone and texting become so important?" 


Say what? I was in the elevator with an elderly male and a younger female around my age. She continues to ignore him whilst I look at him slightly bemused. I respond that we live in a time where it's all about "real-time". I try to show some mild empathy, then he exits the elevator with a "have a good day." It made me pause and think back to when I first really relied on text messaging.

...Don't recall.

I had an interesting conversation with my Italian godmother (as I love to call her) about what she thinks of it all. She abhors how people compulsively check their phone and thinks there is a lacking of manners for in other words, my generation. I apologize on my generation's behalf to her, and I stringently ignore my iPhone when I am having my occasional lunches with her. I like her that much.

The conclusion is that we live in an age of more "efficiency" in communication and instant gratification. Say an impending goodbye to snail mail, land lines (for the most part),  phone calls (text is faster for responses to questions, and it can be more discrete say if you are in a meeting), and possibly even some forms of print. For example,  I get constant notifications from billing companies if I'd like to "go green" and go with electronic statements.

Some people cannot adapt to change very well. They like familiarity. The technological generation tends to embrace change because they know that one day something could be in, the next day it could be outdated by a newer version. This is likewise in fashion as well. I will have to say I do find sentimental value in my collection of cards and letters, but I accept that these things are quickly being updated by e-greetings and emails. Does this mean we are compromising quality with efficiency?

Life is on the fast lane more than ever. Could it be for the best or for the worst? This is the question I leave you with.