Don’t Expect Anyone in “Generation Wiki” to Give Up Mobile

Last week we partnered with our pals over at the VOA Student Union – a great blog by the way – in posing this question: what technologies do you use in your daily life, and whether you think the younger generation is too “plugged in”?

One responder – Tara – answered the question at several levels when she tweeted about her BlackBerry from her Blackberry.  As Jessica noted, “now that’s dedication to your device.”

Overall mobile devices figured prominently, and so, too, did the differences between the US and other places.  Sebastian wrote that Bolivians seem as addicted – if that’s the word – to wired gadgets as much as anyone.  However, he wrote:

“For example, in Bolivia cellphones, and hardware in general, are overall more expensive than in America and for that reason far less people are used to having fancy phones like iPhones or Blackberrys. But on the other hand, services are usually cheaper. One big difference is the mobile companies, in Bolivia talking is not really expensive, as opposed to America, and talking and texting in a phone is almost the same price.”

Nareg Seferian hit a similar theme, noting that much of the gizmos associated with the digital revolution have hit Armenia as well as the States, but noted that in Armenia they don’t seem as prevalent.  He continues:

“I think the clearest difference, however, is that many in the U.S. have grown up with video games and have had e-mail or online profiles at a very young age. Maybe that’s the way all societies are headed, but for now, I feel that the way the internet is used in daily life or for work or academics is definitely still a novelty in many parts of the world.”

Perhaps Alex Busingye from Uganda put it best:

“In just five months, I have become addicted to my 4G EVO, I take my laptop everywhere. I am on the go streaming live games, doing research while making conversation on Facebook. I used to talk too much, now I tweet too much.

There is no question about it; the technological climate in America has changed the way I communicate. I have evolved a bionic relationship with technology. Whether it’s good or bad for me? Am yet to find out, at this rate, who stops to wonder?”

We appreciate all who stopped – even for just a moment to tweet – to consider the possibilities.