ISOLATION AGE

My older sister who sits at the opposite end of the gen x spectrum can often be heard raging against brand-name anything. Her latest subject - the ipod which she cleverly refers to as the 'isolation pod'. Are we slowly losing social contact as we retreat within ourselves while sauntering the streets with our shuffle or navigating the grocery aisles with our Nano?

Insightful as she is, Arlene's observations are not unique. The same
fears repeatedly arise with every budding invention. MP3 players have been the subject of countless discussions by school officials, law enforcement, journalists, bloggers, you name it, worldwide. Poor communications skills. Increased crime. Sociopathic behaviour. Are these the residual effects of the MP3 wave?

My sense is that those of us who came of age in the 80's and 90's are less likely to be victims of impending social atrophy. From albums to cassettes to CDs to MP3s, we've seen technology advance and whatever our personal acceptance rate, have incorporated it into our daily lives. I'm less confident about the kids raised on binary values. Will they soon represent a disproportionate number of sociopaths? Will they be ineffective at maintaining nurturing, affectionate relationships? Will the future lack for skilled oral communicators? But by this logic, perhaps we then have the Sony Walkman to blame for North America's brand-name sociopaths like Timothy McVeigh?! If McDonald's can be prosecuted for a growing obesity problem, could Apple one day be on the stand for societal problems gestated in the digital age?