It's a small world...

As a kid, I loved to skip stones across a pond (think the most I ever got was seven or eight). No worries. No responsibilities. No email.

Now, I often think about taking my iPhone and skipping it across a pond -- or the nearest highway.

Thanks to computers, smartphones, tablets, social media, email and other ever-changing technology, we're connected to the world and each other 24/7. Instead of waiting for the evening news with Brokaw, Jennings and Rather or the next morning's paper, all we have to do is log on to Twitter or Facebook. And we can share - even make - news ourselves, like I'm doing with this blog.

As a former journalist, I know it's awesome to reach contacts by cell phone, email or social media at any time and get details for my next story, then release it for viewing around the globe -- not just the local community -- in mere minutes, not hours or a day. As a communications professional, though, this instant accessibility can lead to queries from a journalist, administrator, client or "visitor" that must be answered immediately, especially in times of crisis. Time definitely is of the essence.

Technology is a double-edged sword (thank you, NSA), but change is constant, and change can be good (like instant replay in sports). For instance, Twitter has allowed me to continue my professional development. Just last week, Vocus, an integrated marketing company helping organizations reach and influence buyers (I became familiar with it though the Texas A&M Health Science Center), tweeted developments from the INBOUND13 marketing conference in Boston. The world's largest gathering of inbound marketers featured more than 100 sessions, keynotes and product demonstrations over four days.

A sample of the overflow of statistics, trends and strategies presented was interesting, remindful, even eye-opening. A daily recap is available on the Vocus blog. Among the findings:

• Technology has created a Garden of Eden in communication, but there's a snake in the garden: hyperconnectivity. How are we going to have human connections in this age? Put the gadgets down. (Arianna Huffington)
• According to Nielsen, 92% of consumers trust recommendations from family and friends and 70% of online strangers they never met. (Ben Grossman)
• People are better liked when they talk about experiences as opposed to their material possessions. (Beth Dunn)
• We're living in a post-PC world, as more than 30% of traffic to websites is from mobile. (Mitch Joel)
• People always remember the last thing, so make sure the last thing you say is amazing. (Nancy Duarte)

This information is important, even crucial, to my continued advancement as a communications professional. But instead of registering for the event, paying for hotel/air fare/taxi/meals, booking time out of my schedule, and then playing catch up at home or the office as was done just a few short years ago, I now can follow online at my convenience and connect directly with the presenters and attendees. All I need is an Internet connection.

In the meantime, my iPhone 5 rarely leaves my side (told the missus I'd skip the "5S" for the "6" next year), and I have dozens of apps for productivity, education, business, leisure and more. I also have accounts on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and most recently, Instagram and Pinterest (help!).

When I initially left work at the end of May, I thought my life would be much simpler -- sleep, web surfing and Jerry Springer (how can that still be on?). To some extent, it has, but technology allows me to stay in contact and reconnect with friends and colleagues -- even make new ones -- all while drinking craft beer in my boxers (you're welcome for the visual). It also has enabled me to stay up-to-date in my field and with current events. Yep, change can be good, though nothing can ever replace the intimacy and frankness of a face-to-face conversation.

Now if you'll excuse me, it's been 20 minutes, so need to check my Facebook and Twitter accounts for the latest Candy Crush requests and weird news story. Til the next time...