Picture this cinematic, age old image, it’s the leading lady, done up to the nines, waiting nervously by the phone, jumping each time it rings, only to the crushing realization that the person on the other line, is not who she’s hoped for.

Now picture said girl, however, this time she’s hunched nervously over her laptop, at 1am, logged on to two social networking sites, her instant messenger service and email inbox, with mobile phone of course, within arms reach. She’s waiting on her techno-savvy prince charming, and needless to say she’s a little more jumpy. (Borderline suicidal at this point) She’s ensured that her desperation is not tangible by choosing a status that is ‘invisible’, ‘appears offline’ or ‘away’. Sadly, however, she is quite aware of the irony that she is both physically and mentally, ‘On-line’ … off. Keep in mind, her mobile phone, whilst out of sight for now, will be awarded due attention a few more times before she allows her weary body (and mind) some rest.
In case you’ve forgotten old home phone, (even the name’s hideously outdated), its still there, and whilst serving a mostly performative function, can be surprisingly nerve jangling too. Maybe even more so considering its increasingly eccentric presence within a melee of slick modern technological toys.

Technophrenia, or perhaps Connectiphobia would be a term I’d use to describe the extreme state of anxiety derived from the above situation. The increasing availability, and multiplicity of communication modes each and ever person in the Western hemisphere cannot have failed to notice, is simply exhilarating. Modern connection, has literalised the 1979 AT&T's slogan, "Reach out and touch someone," with cyber technology making online connectivity ever more tangible. We can see, hear, and virtually inspect every aspect of a person’s life in the flick of a button..or the grant of a ‘friend request’.

Eek, me pretty tired! Will continue this post later…yawn!