The heavy use of digital technology trains society to have less patience for the particular skills, pace, and sensitivities of face-to-face interaction. “We become used to the volume and velocity of the digital medium,” explains Turkle. “We adapt to it and, over time, become more comfortable with its simplifications.” The upshot? “People complain that they are too busy communicating to think, too busy communicating to create, and, in a final paradox, too busy communicating to fully connect with the people who matter. We are in continual contact but are alone together.”
from “Living in a Digital World”, by Samuel Greengard (Communications of the ACM, October 2011)
Note: Boldface highlighting is mine.