NYT article: Are we "addicted" to data?

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: "Alan A. Reiter" <alan.reiter () verizon net>
Date: Sun, 06 Jul 2003 11:01:16 -0400
To: dave () farber net
Subject: NYT article: Are we "addicted" to data?

Hi Dave,

The New York Times today has an article about whether some people are
addicted to data -- using pagers, cellular phones and WiFi -- while engaging
in other activities, such as listening (not listening?) to conference
speakers.  The article, "The Lure of Data:  Is It Addictive," is here --
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/06/business/yourmoney/06WIRE.html?th

The Lure of Data: Is It Addictive?
By MATT RICHTEL

THIS is Charles Lax's brain on speed.

Mr. Lax, a 44-year-old venture capitalist, is sitting in a conference for
telecommunications executives at a hotel near Los Angeles, but he is not all
here. Out of one ear, he listens to a live presentation about cable
television technology; simultaneously, he surfs the Net on a laptop with a
wireless connection, while occasionally checking his mobile device - part
phone, part pager and part Internet gadget - for e-mail.

Mr. Lax flew from Boston and paid $2,000 to attend the conference, called
Vortex. But he cannot unwire himself long enough to give the presenters his
complete focus. If he did, he would face a fate worse than lack of
productivity: he would become bored.

"It's hard to concentrate on one thing," he said, adding: "I think I have a
condition."

                                                             <snip>


By-the-way, I've spoken about wireless data before groups of conference
organizers for trade associations, and many of them hate the idea of WiFi.
They are very concerned attendees will access the Internet rather than
listening to speakers.

My view:  WiFi is coming to conference centers and hotels whether conference
organizers like it or not.  The smart conference organizer will understand
the dynamics of WiFi (or GPRS, 1xRTT, etc.) and help both speakers and the
audience leverage the value of wireless.  Wireless can greatly enhance
conferences and other meetings, but it also indeed can also be a disruptive
force.


Alan

---------------------------------
Alan A. Reiter, president
Wireless Internet & Mobile Computing consulting
E-Mail: reiter () wirelessinternet com
Phone: 1-301-951-0385
Weblog: http://reiter.weblogger.com
Web site: http://www.wirelessinternet.com


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