I have friendships that are solely kept alive via digital communication. Without the applications and tools, the relationship would not exist. Similarly, I have coworkers who work in London, Sao Paolo, Tokyo and other far away places. We carry on virtual relationships. If I am lucky, I might see them in person one time per year. However, on a day to day basis we keep connected via email, phone, instant messenger, and teleconference. If my employer were to cut off all digital capabilities, my relationships with my colleagues would be non existent. The communication is the relationship.
All this to say that I rely heavily on digital comm.. I would consider myself pretty tapped into being connected. What began for me as a simple way to send fun messages to my friends through MySpace has become the backbone of my relationships....even with elderly relatives. I can't say that I am very tech savvy, but that is the irony in modern times. Being a computer geek has never been so cool, but there is no requirement to be geeky to communicate.
Unfortunately, the downside of human relationships is that those humans who cannot afford, or aren't privy to modern technology are alienated from connectivity with others. Modern communication draws a heavy line between the haves and the have nots. It's a fact that makes me quite sad- and feel a sense of guilt about privilege. I know this is not something I personally have caused or could prevent, but nonetheless, I hope that somehow we as humans work against marginalizing our fellow man- and woman.
