We live in a world where technology allows us to be in touch with everyone we know, as well as everyone we've met along the way . This technology that has the potential to bring us closer together often causes people to become more disconnected from those around them. We live in a world where if you don't have a Facebook account, you might as well not exist. Many people don't even think about talking to you face to face about something that's happening because they'd rather send you an invitation online or via text message. Of course, they will let you know how disappointed they are if you don't show up. This passive-aggressive behavior which is plaguing our society is reinforced by technology which should allow us more communication and frank dialogue. People prefer to hide behind a veil of technology and feel safe to say things they would never dare say in the “real world”. The obsession with technology seems to have started with the widespread use of the cell phone. You can sit and watch people sitting together at tables at a bar, ignoring the people they arrived with because they are engrossed in their phones. Text messaging came along and added to the disconnect, so people didn't even need to talk to each other anymore. You can send a message to everyone in your phone book without saying a word. This impersonal method of communication is becoming the norm. The mass holiday greeting text message sent to an entire phone book of people doesn't exactly warm the heart. Now that internet technology is also available on cell phones, a whole new level of obsession has been added. You can read your emails or log on Facebook while you sit with your friends in the middle of a paper......but too much time and effort is spent paying attention to trivial things that entertain without offering any informational value. Put down the phone and chat with someone you see every day. People must learn to use technology to benefit their relationships and stay in touch without cutting themselves off from reality. Works Cited Cowan, James. “Why we will never escape Facebook”. Canadian Business 83.10 (2010): 28. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Internet. July 21, 2010. George, Alison. “Living online”. New Scientist 2006. February 5, 2007. Sotto, J. Lisa and M. Elisabeth McCarthy. “Employer’s Guide to Privacy Issues in the Workplace.” 24.1 (2007)Vara, Vauhini. “Facebook’s tracking of user activity puts privacy advocates and members at risk.” Wall Street Journal - Eastern Edition November 21, 2007: D8. MasterFILE First. EBSCO. Internet. July 21 2010.