Funny, as I was reading one of the only two english written magazines
in our flat, I had an epiphany.
Both, Gabrielle bought at Heathrow Airport on her trip to Phoenix
back in January of this year.
One is National Geographic, and the other was Time Magazine.
It was in TM that I read this article last night, and it inspired me,
or maybe it brought me down a bit. The jury is out.
I still don't know yet how I feel.
Joel Stein, who writes the last column in the back of TM,
"The Awesome Column", basically tears down our fascination
with video calling, and mainly the one time new breakthrough of Skype.
As Stein weaves between tongue and cheek-is-m's, and hardcore
opinions that run more negative than positive, me,
as one who now has to rely on the once future outlet, I am really thinking.
Skype, who ironically is one of my advertisers on my website www.jlradio.com
happens to be also my only open line to the world, as far as having a real
conversation with friends and acquaintances, other than
e-mail and instant messaging.
He let's us know that all our interest in the future devices may have
failed us in some areas. He doesn't like the face to face glamour of webcams.
Being a newer Skype user since I moved across an ocean and far removed
from relatives, friends and acquaintances, I need it, I want, and
sometimes I love it. The webcam is not really my thing,
but the PC to PC talking real time is.
Stein really is over the top on his love of texting.
He describes using Skype is too stagnant for him. He prefers to wash
dishes, do chores while on Skype or his cell phone, as to sitting still at his PC.
In the end he is running away from Skype and instills in his readers mind that
better to text while being fidgety. He has a great analogy that
incorporates Star Trek being one of the early pioneers of
video conferencing. He is clever with how he describes
Bones and Jim, and especially Sulu would be checking out
GoFugYourself.com while Bones and Jim were using the video only 20
yards from each other. Funny. A good titter there, but overall he
bashes the new technology so much I wonder how he got to have a
lofty position at Time.
Don't take it wrong though, he had me riveted reading his article.
When I lived in the states, I was a phone junkie. Big time. I was usually
the one who initiated at least 80% of the calls. My
attitude, is/was, why wait. Dial and pick up the phone.
Direct communication.
Yes, I used all the other outlets too. E-mail, although I get depressed
when I have to type an e-mail longer than a couple of small paragraphs.
I love instant messaging. I still use them most of them. AOL and MSN
are my preferred options. But I love the instant gratification of not only
Skype and MSN and let's not forget Mac users, with iChat.
The latter two also have webcam capabilities.
These are free. All of them. Are they great? Not always.
Skype has drop outs and fades, MSN doesn't always work.
The one that seems to be most dependable is iChat, but alas, so few
people have it, it is gets little usage.
At this point, maybe my excitement about Skype is diminishing as fast
as an ice pop in summer time. The flavor goes quickly.
I might point out, I am not a big fan of the webcam either, but the
phone chat PC to PC is essential to me.
I am now in my fourth month in Germany, and this is where I will be
the rest of my life. So, one would think, hey, JL is really into Skype.
I am, but have found out that most that I have asked to join and let's tawk,
have either had an account from the beginning, but have not used it for so long,
they can't remember their password. At first I thought that was funny
as one by one I was told that, but I do understand.
The other thing I understand with reservation, is that people cannot or
will not find the time, mainly because using Skype or the others mentioned
above require sitting stationary for the duration of PC phone chatting.
The main problem is not setting up an account with Skype, that takes
only minutes, it just isn't really important to most.
They don't find what was once the future, an important tool for their lives.
I would imagine the most usage is by Military persons and their families.
They I am sure, rave about it, but let's face it, the large general
population could care less.
So where does that put me? I suppose in a position where I will in time lose
many friends, or have very little contact with them at best.
This I will accept. I have to. There are no other alternatives.
So I guess Joel Stein, I have you to thank for waking me up to reality that not
all on this earth feel compelled to talk, but would rather instant message,
text, and of course the occasional e-mail.
Skype, you should pay me for being a card carrying fan,
but very few are buying into your once great idea.
The next great idea might come from the cellular phone companies.
Free international calls, but with a price. While you are talking, they keep flashing advertisements on your phone or every time you open it up.
Yo, I would accept that. Bet your ass I would.
Advertising is everywhere, so no problemo.
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