Connected but alone

Something occurred to me when I took Michelle to school this fall, in fact, I may have already posted about it.  I was alarmed at how our technological advances and mobile devices have changed the fabric of the college experience.  The dorm halls and lobbies were empty.  It was as if everyone had retreated to their small rooms to connect with people who weren't really there, but were an avatar or an @ sign away.  Of course as the proverbial old woman I had to tell Chelle about how it was when I was in school...no cable tv, expensive long distance and no computers in our rooms and certainly no internet (and I am not talking no internet in our rooms, I am talking no internet yet at all.)

Well tonight while running I noticed that same phenomenon sneaking into our own small town.  Yet this time, instead of retreating into small dorm rooms, adults were remaining in small vehicles.  I saw three folks sitting in their cars outside of homes (presumably their own) talking on the phone or texting. Remember when you had to go into your home to make a call or connect with someone?  Now we are delaying going into our houses to make a call or connect with someone.  I am not sure what it says about us as a society, but I am sure it says something.  Of course, the irony that I immediately sat down at my computer to write this post upon returning home is not lost on me.  At least I had to come inside to do it.