[ai4281 @ Sep 2nd 2007 12:50PM]

Although I can't disagree with the researchers, I cannot completely agree with them either. If one is shy when it comes to face to face human interactions, gadgets alleviate the pain by enabling that person to communicate without having to go through the ordeal. Shyness is often incurable. Besides, gadgets accelerated the world. From the phone to texting these days, you can talk to someone thousands of miles away or you can write to someone in the same network area in realtime.Also, I do not think that it is fair to blame gadgets of making the world a shier place. Some of these gadgets have been around for less than 10 years. It is hard to draw a conclusion from a technology that is still young and developing.
At best, their suggestion is just a prediction.

[Andy @ Sep 2nd 2007 1:48PM]

But this is about face-to-face communication. The younger generation has IMs and text messages, but most do not have any practical experience in actual conversations. Sure, the technology is new, but that doesn't mean few people are using it. IMs can be downloaded very easily, and text messages are a standard feature for every phone plan, not just Sidekicks.