One of the latest emails ping-ponging its way across the world is a quotation, attributed to Albert Einstein,  stating the author’s fear of the day that technology overtakes humanity and we produce  a generation of idiots. The realization of that fear is illustrated by a series of photographs of young folk enjoying everyday activities, such as, dining out, visiting a museum, playing on the beach and going to a sports stadium. In every picture all the people concerned are staring intently at their smart-phones completely avoiding any interaction with one another.

The quotation may or may not have come from Einstein – and a brief look at some of his most famous and penetrating statements would seem to indicate that it has not – but it certainly fits! Just walk down the street and see how many young people are on their telephones texting away. Visit your local café or pub, go to a restaurant and see couples sat down ready to enjoy an expensive meal but instead of looking at or speaking to one another they are pressing away on their mobiles. Why waste money on the meal, why not take food tablets like astronauts, or have intravenous drips fitted instead!

What on Earth is wrong with us, have we forgotten how to communicate other than by keyboard and text? Have we really lost the joy of conversation and the wonderful intricacies and nuances of language? Technology is all well and good and much of it has certainly enhanced and improved our lives beyond recognition but, there is clearly a serious downside to all this progress.

The last word goes to Albert Einstein, who definitely did say (about 50 years before the mobile phone was invented!) –   “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity”