so we are connected

8:30pm and there's a little Internet connectivity coming to our TV. All courtesy of this wee box. And it's equivalent upstairs.

I'm struck today to how widely connected we are. To colleagues. To former classmates. To friends we've known for years. To people we're becoming friends with. To people we've only met through online platforms like twitter and blipfoto. To people we are influenced by just because they('ve) write(n) books.

And we think we are much more connected.

But are we? I think we can be, and I know there are people who will disagree, but there's something extra about being present with people, not just broadcasting messages to them online.

Is that why we dislike scripted call-centres so much - because the reality of a mutually beneficial conversation isn't going to happen when one side is following a formula?

So it was nice to have an unexpected, but brief chat with JustSitting on the way home. It was helpful to get Herbie to check out my bike and chat about options. It was great to catch up with Mr Carter too.

Three very different connections. But all three very real.