The Pace Of Change

In this morning's Wall Street Journal, there's an article about how communicating by e-mail is being supplanted by newer, faster technologies such as Facebook and Twitter. No longer will you have to wait as long for responses. Electronic communications will be near real time and we'll always be connected with instant gratification. The article closes by postulating that these new services may not save time, as much as they eat up more of it. And, if you read my previous postings about being busy, you'll know where I stand on the subject.

For years, I have puzzled over the notion of change. I frequently ask others about their sense of how things are now versus what they used to be - human nature, relationships, lifestyles, the pace of living - nobody seems to know with any certainty. However, one thing is for certain and that is the inevitability of change. Change has always been and it will always be, but not all change is progress.

I firmly believe that the pace of change is a significant issue. Our abilities to recognize and adapt to change are threatened by its increasing acceleration. As we are constantly confronted, if not bombarded, by new inputs, our need and ability to establish foundations is impaired. Before we fully understand the operation of, the implications of, and perhaps our need for new technologies, we are presented with a new menu with newer options. Often it feels like we embrace change for the sake of change, whether or not the old methods did the job adequately and certainly before we fully comprehend value, efficiency, relevance, and functionality.

So, buckle your seat belt and hang on, because we humans evolved long before Blackberries and wireless networks showed up. Unlike a friend of mine who was chastised by her family for writing a letter to someone instead of sending an e-mail, too many electronic junkies are looking and waiting for the next instant hit. And, it's acceptable, if not essential, to stop, think, and reflect before responding to the next instant message that shows up at your electronic doorstep.