But one of the most interesting talks came from a former Apple and Microsoft executive named Linda Stone. Her emphasis was less economic than social. It was a plea to consider an epidemic she identified as continuous partial attention.

She couldn't have picked a more perfect audience. During the presentations the faces of at least half the crowd were lit with the spooky reflection of the laptops open before them. Those without computers would periodically bow their heads to the palmtop shrine of the BlackBerry. Every speaker was competing with the distractions of e-mail, instant messaging, Web surfing, online bill paying, blogging and an Internet chat 'back channel' where conferencees supplied snarky commentary on the speakers. Stone nailed the behavior so precisely that some audience members actually raised their faces and started listening intently.

In many businesses, it is becoming more and more common for people to have laptops issued by work.  Even if I have a laptop, I find that it is more helpful to leave the laptop behind and walk into meetings with a pad and pen.  Because of this, I'm one of the the only ones who ever actually remembers things that were decided in meetings, and actually pays attention to what is being said. I do take written notes, but mostly I listen. I'm often one of the only people who consistently contributes as well. It's also nice to go into a meeting and not be constantly bothered by other people who aren't in the meeting asking me questions, or just wanting to talk via instant messenger.

I also like being able to speak to people who don't have their laptops open. It's nice to be able to make eye contact, or even just see someone's face so you can read their body language to see if they really get what you're saying. It's also just incredibly rude to be speaking in a meeting, and see someone typing away on their laptop, knowing that they're not typing up notes, but are answering emails instead.

If I take my personal laptop into a coffee shop on the weekend to do some work, I usually go to Starbucks where they don't have free WiFi. Why? Because I don't want to be tempted to check my email, or log into instant messenger. If someone really needs to get a hold of me, I have my cell. But for several years I didn't even have one of those.

I guess you could call me one of those strange anti-technology technology types. I generally wait until I see the real benefit behind something before I buy it. I also know that there are some things that technology just can't replace... like eye contact, and a nice smile.