I’m not one who likes to admit when he’s addicted to something. Good thing I’m not an alcoholic, ’cause isn’t that step one?

But when it comes to feeling disconnected, I have to admit that I’m addicted to the internet. I mean, it’s not a full-on, I gotta be in front of it every minute of every day kind of addiction. However, while I’m at work, I find reasons to get on my computer. Whenever there’s some down time and the kids are behaving themselves, I’m checking my email, looking at blogs I keep up with, surfing Wikipedia, etc.

At home, I’m never more than a few feet away from my laptop. Generally, when not in use, it sits on the table next to my bed. So even when it’s closed and in sleep mode, I’m close by, ready to check my email, look at blogs I keep up with, surf Wikipedia, etc.

So one could say that I’m constantly connected to the world in some way. But even if I didn’t have the computer nearby all the time, I’ve still got my phone. For a long time I held off on getting a smartphone, but even with the dumb phone I was constantly connected. Just a phone call or text message away from those who were nearest and dearest to me. That phone (and my current phone) were with me everywhere I went. I never leave it in the car. I never leave it at home. I leave it in my pocket.

I know that billions of people throughout history have managed to make it through their entire lives without phone or internet. But here we are in the 21st century, constantly in contact. How would the average American react if he or she were suddenly unable to check up on people on Facebook or tweet about their latest inane activities or share an image of their appetizing eggplant parm on Instagram? Oh, the humanity…