Teleworking is reliant on the superhighways. Whilst teleworking can be very effective for organisations, it can isolate individuals. A recent television documentary depicted a marketing executive of an intentional firm as quite a pathetic figure, teleworking across the globe but looking forward to the social interaction with the postman to break the monotony and chill of cyberspace. Commercial opportunists have moved cyberspace into the high street with cyber pubs and cafes where the fixed menu includes food, drink and net surfing. Just as video arcade games can become obsessional so can surfing the net.
Conversation is replaced with the tapping of keyboards and the glazed stare of the surfing addict.
It might appear to be an overstated bleak picture but these problems are occurring and are increasing. It is the responsibility of every professional to help ensure that this powerful enabling technology does not turn into an enslaving one.