Big Issue

Having shied away from a "crackberry" of "eye-fone" until now, I'm usually the one who tuts quietly when the person next to me at a conference keeps fiddling what seems like an expensive addiction.
However, 24 hours after arriving in NZ, I've only had 15 mins of internet access and I need a fix!
Perhaps my 'dongle' has seduced me into the "easy" world of global knowledge at the press of a button, or maybe I've just forgotten how to use the other tools that I used to use to keep my life organised (diary and phone).
At least I have my old "comforter" to hand (mobile phone), even if it doesn't receive emails; so I am able to check that I'm not the last person alive on this planet.
Having made a few calls and received the appropriate responses, I started to question my reliance on the internet.
Why did I feel so helpless without it?
Why did it seem that you needed to inform the world whenever you so much as farted?
Why did it feel like no-one loved me when my Inbox was empty?
The answer: Who gives a fig? Just give me another shot of email and google and I'll be fine, even if I have to rob a library to get access to it via their wi-fi.
[5 mins later after the sound of gunfire and people screaming]
Yeah man, that's such a buzz... ... far out!!

On a slightly more serious note, this whole issues demonstrates our reliance on modern communications methods. It's now clear to me that the value offered by  the internet far outweighs the cost of a smartphone or broadband connection. If we are to lead the industry, we need every tool available and sitting in a room internet connection simply isn't an option.