Society Always On?

Society’s expectation of our being “Always On” and the natural realities of life are a paradox. Although we have more communications devices than decades ago, “connected” people cannot always be available for electronic communication. For example, this week, I had to go out of town for almost two days. I do not use e-mail or web services with my cell phone. I chose to bring my textbook during the trip, rather than attempt to work with the threaded discussion. Even though I am somewhat well-connected electronically, do I need to communicate while I am in the subway, in a church or even when I have a virus, as I had this week?

I put limits on the time that I am reachable via cell phone, because I refuse to be a slave to the demands 24-7 communications. If I were to immediately respond to every call I receive, I would not be able to study or comprehend my course-load.

Now that I have a fast internet connection, must I also buy a Blackberry, digital planner and an i-pod (with my low income)? My wonderful fax machine from a few years ago is useless now, because my cell phone has replaced my land line. Donna Haraway was correct when she said that we are constantly urged to buy more un-needed devices to keep capitalism going.
NMR, p 528:("...the competitive race among industrialized and industrializing nations to avoid dangerous mass unemployment necessitates finding ever bigger new markets for ever less clearly needed commodities.")