Distance Meaningless

The passage I chose was written by Kevin Robins on page 228. He talks about the elimination of distance that we now seem to have. Because of the new virtual technologies of today we can communicate with others wherever they might be, instead of being stuck with whoever our neighbors might be, or whoever lives in the same town as we do. Robins considers the arguments of William Mitchell who tells us that we will finally be "freed from the constraints of physical space", and that new vision technologies seem to make distance meaningless. He helps us to think about the limitations that we all have on us by geographical separation and hopes we will all be empowered to make contact with anyone we want, anywhere in the world, and when we want.

I don't think that the new virtual technologies of today make distance completely meaningless, but I do however appreciate how it has benefited me and my family. My husband works in Alaska, he works three week there and then is home for three weeks. I am constantly being asked "How can you be away from your husband for so long?". Well, the answer is simple, we talk on our cell phones, e-mail, Facebook, and send pictures back and forth several times a week. I have to say that we probably communicate more when he's gone than when he's home. I do feel that Mitchell is right on with his ideas of distance being meaningless other than the one thing that we don't have which is physical touch. I do miss hugging my husband and sitting next to him watching TV, but it's all worth it when he does get home.

I also feel that I'm not as far away from my family in Utah. I actually communicate with them more than I did when I lived in the same town. It's easier to communicate although I don't enjoy the camera phones, I do enjoy sending pictures that are almost right in the moment. It feels as though we are there with them, or that they are here with us. Technology is great!