THE image of a person absorbed in texting, WhatsApping, Facebooking and tweeting is so familiar that it can be recognised from a distance. The forward hunch, vulture-like slouched neck, two hands locked like a vice on a mobile device and intent, unblinking stare at the screen have become so commonplace, even at a restaurant table, that the people who stand out are those who dont have such a device and, by extension, dont seem to have anything to do. For, the greatest thing about mobile devices is that they give us the opportunity to always be doing something. Whether it is responding to a witty remark, catching up with what friends are doing elsewhere, dealing with work email or participating in an online discussion about the latest political scandal or crisis, the average person of reasonable means has the wherewithal to connect and be connected 24/7.
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