Today’s New York Times article, “Breakfast Can Wait. The Day’s First Stop is Online” highlights the population of digitally connected, digitally literate multi-generational families who have shifted their morning routines to incorporate mobile/social media.  Everyone checks into their online communities, catches up on the latest information, and stays on top of emails that overflowed from the day before–separately.  Yes, it seems nostalgic and sad, but also very Jetsons-ish.  Although the Jetsons did sit down together for breakfast before scooting off to work and school in floating space-autos.  What seems to be missing here is the joining of the virtual “communities.” within the family–though there is a hint of it when The Gudes mention using texting as an “in-house intercom”–using the media to maintain internal family communication.  I wonder if any families have set-up their own network or wikis? 

As a cusp Gen Y-er (1979) building my career and my portfolio, I understand that there aren’t enough hours in the day and that in order to stay competitive and informed in the world, I need to process, link, quote, draw parallels, AND be humoroulsy ironic all the time.  However, knowing the time before computers, I also cherish my no-computer time, riding my bike, enjoying the weather, and most importantly resting my eyes.  Setting limits is definitely a priority for me and my future family.  But maybe by the time I have kids (which is not that far away), our virtual presence will have seamlessly integrated into our real lives.  Web 3.0 no?