I don’t use any type of instant messaging or chat function – ever. Really! Technically, I’ve used live chat once – with Comcast tech support several years ago. Despite being an omnivore with an overwhelming number of gadgets and devices who is hyperconnected, I’ve always avoided any contact with instant messaging. It isn’t because I think it’s bad. I don’t. It is an important means of communication. I guess I’ve just usually found something else that I wanted to play with more. And, none of my friends use it nor do we use it at work - so that doesn’t leave me with anyone to chat with.
Secretly, there is a part of me that thinks instant messaging could become addictive – too addictive – like get-in-the-way-of-work-and-life addictive. This was confirmed for me today with the creation of a Meebo chat room for the Library Society of the World by Joshua M. Neff. Like many others, I felt compelled to check it out – and I don’t even want to speculate about how much time I spent just watching and reading and watching. And seriously, I couldn’t look away. It is very strange to read people’s chats. The text of the chats were often very disjointed – making it difficult to figure out who was responding to whom. But, I felt compelled to try. Seriously, I have to stay away!!!!!
Posted by Jennifer 
