Look who's talking is a Wired article discussing the Amish and their use of technology. It's an interesting read. Some of their thinking is quite interesting - especially around 'who we will become' when we embrace this technology. Their comments around the phone system in general, and it's potential to interrupt has such high relevance for anyone who's ever tried to have a discussion with someone who keeps being constantly interrupted by their cellphone ringing, even when that person is supposed to have dedicated you a time slot (why do we bother 'booking' a meeting if you're just going to sit there and take phone calls from all and sundry?).
I've always been pretty pedantic about putting my phone on silent during meetings, films, or anything like that, and reading this has strengthened my resolve to make it a point of anal retentive devotion. Anyway, this is interesting reading from an unexpected source (meaning the Amish, not Wired). The author agrees:
I never expected the Amish to provide precise philosophical yardsticks that could guide the use of technological power. What drew me in was their long conversation with their tools.
and
If we decided that community came first, how would we use our tools differently?
Via Vowe.net