Jimbo.Info

I read the piece as well and figured Mr. Sullivan was annoyed that HE was being ignored in NYC, not being the dashing mini-celeb he is in DC. He apparently just woke up that morning and noticed how TV has more than 2 channels. I think I liked it better when he was single and frustrated.

I'll admit that I've ordered in on occasion, but really I like the thrill of the chase, and being able to interact with someone in person. I'm also one of those weird people, who when checking a coat, leave their phone in the coat. I mean nothing is THAT important. I don't even care to take calls on my personal cell at work.

My trip to SF proved a bust on street cruising, there was absolutely none. I couldn't even observe others doing it. DC is way better for that, and come warmer weather it'll be back to the same cat and mouse game. I even see it now, but it's much harder when you're staring down at the pavement, trying not to slip.

I have to agree and disagree with you on this subject. I am guilty of texting in a bar type setting. But only because it was too noisy to tell my friends where I am. In this case I used texting as a tool to increase my social connectivity, my real social connectivity. Now the people that use it all the time to supplant actually talking to real people, that's where the line is for me.

I am however guilty of shutting out the world with my iPod. Of that I plead no contest.

Rob, had you considered _planning_ on where to meet up? Crazy talk, I know, but instant communication seems to have destroyed anyone's initiative to plan.

Consider this possibility: he's arranged to meet his date at a specified time at a specified place in the bar, so he's text-messaging: "Where the hell are you? I've been waiting here half an hour. Get your ass over here now or I'm gonna hit on Jimbo."

I do plan, but sometimes plans go astray. I think that tech is guilty of letting people fudge plans. Instead of meeting at a certain place at a certain time it's become "I'm going to be late, I'll just call them." Or text them or whatever.

You're talking to a refugee from the Nintendo generation. I have enough trouble planning what I'm going to have for dinner tonight.

I think that there is a middle ground where technology can be used and not overused. Some people use it as a replacement for life or an excuse not to have a life.

Tech has certainly encouraged the flakier members of society. They can be 25 minutes late to dinner now, because it's only rude if you don't call! They can forget where you planned to meet because you're just a text away. And they can decide at the last minute that no actually it'd actually be more fun to go to Zanzibar tonight instead of the Velvet Lounge.

I just hate carrying around the bulky cell phone. Not that I could live without it at this point.

You've reminded me that I finally need to get around to reading the paperback copy of "Bowling Alone" that I found in a second-hand store last year.

Good post. Thanks for sharing it.

I think, as with anything in society, there are going to be people on one end of the spectrum overusing it (in this case people who are so connected they've become disconnected from the rest of the world), people who just get along without using it (the people who refuse to own a cell phone, iPod, have broadband, and may not own a computer at all - shocking, but they are out there), and then there's going to be the range in between.

Interestingly enough, you could make an argument (admittedly a slightly stereotypical one)that gay men overuse stylish technology more than any other group - we want to be in on the latest trends and we're guys, so we like playing with gadgets.

As to activists gathering and advocating online, I think that may be one reason there seems a lot less passion and intensity to most activist causes these days.

Regarding technology and activism: the great mass of people have never been activists. Technology is the ultimate political sedative; lots of people can sign an online petition, or send an email, and think they've done something and resume their dozing.

I do not think that technology has reduced our need to connect with one another. it has changed the way we do so, and not for the better. all of this tech stuff is about connecting. but it has resulted in a reduction in social skills and an increase in rude behavior. I have seen two people sitting at a table in a coffee shop talking - each on a cell to other people. my son thinks that seeing a movie about something replaces and is better than seeing the real thing. the virtual has been elevated and the actual has been devalued. if it were not for my need to keep updated about my kid's whereabouts, I would cancel my cell phone contract tomorrow. but from what I hear, the cruise spots in central NY are just as busy. but reports are that the crowd is getting much older as the whipper snappers are all doing it using the new technology. but this will pass. I was a college student when the walkman and its knockoffs were just coming into popularity and people walked around with headphones on not talking to each other. we got over it. the iPod will go through the same evolution. until it becomes implantable.

you're right about the internet hookups. i think less people go out in general than years ago. or maybe that's just my experience. whatever..i dunno. but i still think you're right.

Communication of any form, is desirable and precious, no matter the means. We should count our lucky stars, and value what we have created on this front. As we generally realize, technology is Gayom's friend, big time. So, you might want to lay off a bit. Here's why:

Remember, it wasn't too long ago that people rarely left their town, never mind their farm/house. That we can communicate with like minded souls, and so easily, and so readily, and in such massive quantities is a precious, recent gift of our civilization. As realtime videophone networks roll-out (like, way sooner than anyone believes, for reasons outlined below) we'll begin to see just how valuable this "lesser" form of communication is to our society. In the same way the phone transformed rural America and turned the woman's world upside down and for the better, the videophone will turn upside down our contemporary urban societies. And it's value will merely be high-lighted in the context of certain current events -- the creeping East-West war and its various casualties and battlegrounds, like your local bar. This whole discussion will be irrelevant in the near future; Let's remember that one of alQaeda's discussed future targets is gay bars and clubs, for obvious ideological reasons.

Hanging out with large concentrations of our fellow "infidels" at bars, clubs, street festivals, etc. will be a whole lot less popular post-bio attacks -- and a thing we'll profusely write about with justified nostalgia. Few will risk smallpox, etc., merely to enjoy their favorite dj amongst like minded friends, seeing as "Please No Touching" rules sure havn't worked in our past. ;-]

This discussion will seem ever so disneyland-esque come that era. It's tragic that such venues will, in such a large and sudden way, be a thing of our collective subculture's history for some time, for most of the rest of our lives, but i think we'll be thanking our lucky stars for all this technology come that probable new phase of Western history.

Sometimes things change very, very, very quickly.

rob@egoz.org

I've seen guys using laptops in their rooms at the baths, cruising Manhunt.

True story.

Andrew Sullivan complaining about people ordering in, when he was infamously ordering in barebacking, when he makes his living selling pixels, is what we call hypocrisy. And he's a bit behind the times in terms of people crusiing around with headphones on, it's called a Walkman. Rather than waking up to social isolationism, when will we wake up to the fact that he need to be ignored.

I don't think you got my point Rob, or I didn't make it clear. I wasn't saying "BAN ALL CELL PHONES AND IPODS - THEY ARE EVIL! AND SO IS COMMUNICATION!" For chrissake I own a cell phone and an iPod, and I'm workin' on a major in Communication, persuasion and social influence.

I was advocating for some common sense and consideration in the use of such new inventions. Just like how we disovered with e-mail that all caps is shouting and not everyone appreciates being on your 'joke of the day' e-mail list, we will find that cell phone and iPod use requires new considerations and ettiquette as well. Such as watch where you're going (or driving) when you're talking on the cell, and don't talk on your cell incessantly amongst live company. Yes, things change quickly, but with it comes new rules of use.

And evoking the boogeyman-al-Qaeda is sooo election 2004. Go use that one on the cusomers at Wal-Mart in Bismark, ND.

Jimbo you realize that the next time I see you using your mobile phone to make a social course correction in a public place I am going to bring up this blog entry. (and if you ever learn to send a text message..you know you will hear about it for hours) The world changes, deal with it! Adapt. Not every contingency can be planned for ahead of time. Do you use a microwave? I could say "you know if you just planned your day better you would be able to cook that in your conventional oven."....
I mean I personally think that 93percent of all blogs are just vapid platforms for people to talk about themselves or their viewpoints. If Im reading about how yummy your english muffin was this morning...those are precious seconds of my life I cant get back! BUT...I realize blogs are here to stay.... and I have a couple of friends who are really into their blogs..so I support them.