In our lifetime, we had truly witnessed the evolution of technology. I am currently sitting in one of (too many) Starbucks' airport cafes in the Jakarta airport, waiting for my flight home (yeah!), sipping that signature frothy Starbucks latte that is ubiquitous and uniform around the world, and my eyes wandered to the other business travellers.
A decade ago, lone business travellers were often seen browsing through high-powered magazines like Time or Economist, or immersing themselves in thick novels. Those were the constant companions of typical airport loungers. Very one-sided in interaction with the written word, but you looked around more, observing the people around you, enjoying the often similar scenery of runways.
Today, as with all other days when I decided to sit down instead of shop at the prevalent airport duty-free shops, almost 60% of the lone business travellers have a very interactive machine in the form of a laptop (like me!) where we bury our noses deep into online conversations or work emails. A second contender comes in the form of Blackberry, with a rotund businessman in front of me gazing and caressing the keypad like how he may serenade his girlfriend or wife. A few young girls lazily browsed through magazines before turning their attention to their trusty mobile phones, either whispering gleefully into the mouthpiece or sms-ing with a slight smile.
The world is indeed much smaller now. While sitting at the airport, I can have multiple online conversations with my friends, chat with Big Bee on the phone, sms Hubby, call my Mum's mobile phone for updates on Little Bee in school, reply my work emails and blog!
I guess we are living in an age where we are constantly near the ones we love - through a virtual network. But I wonder how we can connect with our very own selves if we are constantly busy with the multifarious channels of communication with family and friends? How do we get in touch with our inner, peaceful self? How can we reflect in quiet contemplation?
It sometimes worries me to think about my children who will grow up to be fantastic multi-taskers, but with fears of being alone, without needing to do anything, just observing the world going by. Again, could and should this attribute be nurtured in them? The idea of our children embracing tranquil solitude, with no other companionable instruments but their thoughts hidden in their minds...
3 comments:
I love to multi-task. I find that it saves times and it sort of calms me down that I can accomplish more. HAHA.
I was at the funeral today and a male friend commented that only women multi-task well. Men, on the other hand, need to concentrate on one thing at a time. Womder if it is true.
Yes it is true. Women multi task better than men. Men can only focus on one main task ;) Wonder why!
I think it could, and it should! Solitude is underrated.
Post a Comment