Text messaging has its uses, but it is ridiculous the way kids are using it. Unless there is some reason you can't talk, why not just call the person. It's cheaper than texting. As far as IM goes, I have to say that it really made sense before telephone plans got so affordable. I've seen the Frontline thing, and I must say it is a little exagerated. It is true that many valueable social skills have been lost, but it is not solely because they are in a "digital" world. I saw an article a while ago about what they were trying to cover on frontline. I think it was in The American Journal of Psychiatry or the AMA Journal. I'll see if I can dig it up.
I've experienced that myself, but I think this is because everybody is utilizing the technology not because anything is really different. Also, stay with the Walkman (Sony made a great product and still does. Pricey but a good choice!) The sound quality is much better. If you want a set of great earphones get yourself a pair of these. (They have unbelievable clarity and power. They also will stay on your ears without bumping around no matter what you are doing or the shape of your ears.) If you are planning to get yourself an mp3 player make sure that it can take high quality formats. If you don't your going to hate the quality. Most people who download stuff to their Ipods are losing up to 90% of the sound. As I keep saying, "People just do not appreciate quality anymore." Personally I think the Archos 605 WiFi is the perfect gym machine. It carries all the music you could want in any formate (it has 160 GB drive) and it will record TV shows (like Tivo) and DVDs to its hard drive so you can bring them with you.
Adam L
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