Modern nomads

Humans have always migrated and traveled, without necessarily living nomadic lives.

What is now being called nomad ism is not about taking journeys it involves much more

A modern nomad is as likely to be a teenager in Berlin, San Fransisco or London as some senior businessman

They may never have traveled anywhere, been on an aeroplane or moved address

Even if they stay in one place in a small town their relationship to place, other people and time is what makes the difference

Indeed, how far they move is completely irrelevant.

It is the permanent connectivity that defines the modern nomad

seems that these people, who are growing in number, build stronger relationships to those they already know such as family and friends

This is at the expense of meeting new people or expanding their relationships in the physical world.

They move from place to place throughout the day doing emailing, work and play

Little distinction is drawn between work and play all merges into the day

More and more of their essential information is stored on line rather than in any one place or machine

Only a few years ago this was impossible as machines and connectivity were clunky and difficult to carry around

Today a mobile phone, Blackberry or laptop is all that is needed

By tomorrow one device will suffice

At this point social implications become more important as the machine is no longer the marvel as they will be familiar to us and taken for granted

The social implications are not clear today however rules of etiquette are emerging as to where mobile phones and Blackberries are acceptable and where they are not

We can observe that they are pushing their way into more and more places, the next being aeroplanes

Question?

Are you part of this?

Do you store more and more of your files, your life and work information on line?

Pay attention to your own life and see if where it is going is what you want

We are all caught up in this the question as usual is whether or not it is on our terms or those of others who lead the way or drag us with them

Make conscious decisions to take the best from this movement

Make equally conscious decisions to bar or prevent yourself from becoming totally beholden to technology

Be aware how these things are changing your life and that of your friends and acquaintances