A friend of mine organizes a get-together of all ex-colleagues once a year. She really takes the effort in letting everyone know, check dates etc, and fix venue as well. And this is not easy, considering everyone is working, travelling etc, and also given that not all of them are (active) on Facebook, and still use the mobile – talk and sms (see, this is one step outdated, the hierarchy is this – bottom of the pyramid is mobile communication, then comes Facebook, then Twitter, then_______ (I really don’t know, anyone who does can fill in). So, she uses a combination of all of these and tries to organize such an event for the last 2 months. She had messaged me 2 days back asking if I would be free for lunch on March 6th? I was at work then, and saw the message much later in the evening, thought will reply later (so much for instant communication) and that’s it, only remembered today while going to work, and since was in the auto idling, sitting and scanning the messages received – oh yes, we are people on the move, we try and stay connected always, in fact I had just logged out after checking my mail and also a quick look at who was available to chat – and then came to reading the sms es! I immediately replied. It pained to see the reply from her which said that no one had bothered to even reply to the email, except for 2 of them, who had anyway agreed to meet up! I called her up and she was saying that perhaps people had outgrown the need to meet up, have a get-together etc., That’s when I thought aloud, that the more technology has advanced and the world’s getting smaller, distances and the urge to meet up and connect is shrinking as well!
It seems that with every increasing milestone in networking, attempting to make communication much easier, people have become less responsive, more closeted and too busily caught up in their own lives! My kids do not know to identify a post-box if not for their play school having taught them to draw and colour in red! In fact, I really don’t see them ever using the post box at all! Fine, change and advancement, so take it as it comes.
However, surprising that people are distancing themselves from everyone around them – yes, Facebook photos are pasted promptly by the F-addicts who believe that anything worth talking and sharing is worth it only if it has been/is/will be on Facebook, and the world better know it, of course, the world that breathes Facebook. Although there may be more than 8 million (am sure it’s more, since 43.3% of all statistics are made on the spot) members on Facebook and the number is growing as I type another word, there are several million (more of them , not quoting stats here) that are not really addicted to Facebook or have access to one.
Take me for instance. There is a friend of mine whom I haven’t met in the last 10 years, given that we were quite close back in undergrad days and now are in the same city. My stupid brain never forgets her birthday, so I end up making the one call every year, and every year, the conversation goes like this:
Me: I wish I could forget your birthday! Dammit!
She: Haha
Me: So, when are we going to meet?
She: I don’t know, you tell me….
Me: I think this month is doable, lunch one day, weekday, i.e?
She: Sure, am at work only, Bannerghatta Road, give a call and we’ll make it!
Me: Such a shame..
She: I know (subdued haha)
Me: OK, then, have a great year!
She: Thanks
Me: Ciao
She: Ciao
And every year after the call my thoughts are: Next year, am not calling her and wishing at all. Knowing fully well I will do the same thing next year as well.
Oh, and must say, haven’t seen her on Facebook at all!
Our lunch is yet to happen!
PS:Now that it is out in print, hope I do make that lunch happen!
