Communications

The more automated this country gets, especially in communications, the less neighborly we become. For the past hour, I have called nine phone numbers (to one large organization), plus two to “information,” and have spoken to only one human being, beyond one or two sentences. The rest were answering machines, and two told me that it was their day off. Disquieting, but not so unusual. I just wanted a little, but necessary, piece of information for work I need to do today. Tomorrow is too late.

This gadget-happy society is on the cutting edge of not knowing what it is doing to itself. Try, just try to believe this, young people: It really was easier, most of the time, and always more “family” when conducting human relations in the backward old days.

ART STANLOW

Costa Mesa