I share therefor I am

Sherry Terkle may be the one who coined that phrase; I heard her saying it during her TED talk last month about the psychological impact of digital technology. She showed some examples we all recognize, such as a picture of what seem to be three friends together in their dorm room. However, it is not clear that they are friends, as each one of them is glued to their cell phone, busily communicating with one or more other people. We have all seen it. In the car, in the bus, in a meeting, on the street. People staring and pecking at their phones. Ms. Terkle, and Ross Douthat in a piece in today's New York, lament this trend and want me to be paying more attention to you, also, or maybe particularly so during moments when I am not that interested in what I think you are going to say.

Welcome to my world. For a few years now I have been writing a blog, which, with the exception of a few diehards, is not particularly widely read. But is that important? Well, it would be if I had to make a living doing this. And believe me, no chance of that happening anytime soon. Don't get me wrong, I am not objecting to a wider audience benefiting from my pearls of wisdom, but in the end a blog is a great way of getting my thoughts, or what goes for that, on paper or at least in digital format, while always being able to connect with them wherever I am. And, of course, to allow you, you anonymous you, to read them when you reach this destination http://go2whatever.blogspot.com/.

I see no reason to be as pessimistic as Sherry and Ross are. All we need to do to rein in the digital fever is to adjust our social norms about what is acceptable and what's not. Can a young black man wear a hoodie in a white enclave in Florida? No, he can't. Can you text while attending a funeral? Don't think so. During dinner? No, but what about watching TV while you eat? At home or in a restaurant?
I suggest that there is no problem using your digital assistant while using public transportation, although reading a book or talking to another passenger wouldn't be a bad idea either. Be aware though that communing with fellow travelers in trains, buses or planes may be reason for others to label you a busy body or a social butterfly. 
But does it really make a difference whether you share while talking or share while texting or blogging or tweeting? Take my word for it, as I actually dabble in each of these modes of communication, talking to people, can be very effective and satisfying. Even when you have nothing to say.