[simonr]

Hi, i'm a newcomer to this site and came across it when trying to research whether the emergence of the Blackberry has led people to further merge their social and work life.

I was wondering what people think about this...is this really true???
Do you find yourselves using the blackberry at all hours and does your boss expect you to reply to emails no matter what the time??? Do you mainly use it for work or social matters???

I'd be interested to know what people think, and if anyone knows of any interesting news articles on this topic then those suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks and I look forward to hear what you say!!!

[jojitsu]

I dont' use my blackberry for work. It's more for social, so I guess yeah. My social life has merged with my work.

[picapiedra]

Of all of the positive aspects, the main reason I hate my Blackberry is because of work expectations. I think your question could be better phrased as Does BB allow Work to invade your Social Life? In my case, definitely.
--rog.

[Gareth.Hooper]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7290/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/168)

I don't think social and work is the concern but the work and personal is. There is no expecation to respond at all hours and immediately in my case, I just find myself doing that. Being a Blackberry User and Admin takes discipline, especially as a user. Blackberry is a social experience and possibly, in a way, a lifestyle .

[dkmadrid]

I have to agree with Gareth.Hooper. I have no expectation on my to be "available" at all hours for email, but I catch myself repeatedly responding to something at the most ungodly of times and days. Many times I have had to tell myself that addressing this email right now is not at all a priority and can wait. Many times I have tried to tell myself that and didn't listen...

[coreyg510]

The one thing that my girl hates about me, my Blackberry.

[Postalrecon]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7520/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/103)

I do think having a blackberry is a lifestyle. I use it to keep in touch with friends and family, especially since I'm military and I'm away from home about 100% of my time. I don't see it as interferimng with my social life. Even though I do catch myself breaking it out at the weirdest times.

[Gareth.Hooper]

I am Generalising about the Lifestyle but it definitely feels like it sometimes.
Hehe...Breaking it out at the wierdest times, I know what you mean here, I find myself doing the Fast Draw out of the holster sometimes for no apparent reason.

[teskew]

This is how I know I have a problem....sometimes I hit the space bar on the computer twice thinking that the period will magically appear like it does on my BB....haha

[Gareth.Hooper]

LOL....To True.
When handling a std issue cell phone I also find myself trying to scroll repeatedly.

[teskew]

I do that too!! I need to go to a BB Users Anon. meeting!!

[Gareth.Hooper]

If you find, Tell me...Hi,My Name is Gareth and I am a Blackberry Addict.

[teskew]

HA HA will do!!

[jibi]

I think most people these days constantly have a hand on some sort of phone/email/messaging device. My girlfriend was beyond drunk the other night whining and asking for a) her 'mommy' and b) her phone. The only time that my BlackBerry causes me any anxiety in my social life is when I'm on-call and the blasted thing is paging me in the middle of the night while my girlfriend is trying to sleep. Short of that, no issues at all.

[Corman]

My job requires 24/7 response and the BB has made is easier for me to keep up with that requirement. So, my life became easier with the BB.

[dangerousbehavior]

Wirelessly posted (Mainlining the Net since 1968: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0) BlackBerry7250/4.0.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

Pros: I don't have to carry a laptop on vacation anymore.
I am reachable 24x7 through cell or email, as long as I am in cell range.
I can stay on top of work as it comes in, not having to wait until I am back in the office.
I have the Net and Google Maps on my belt. So many times I pull up info for an immediate answer.
Cons: I am reachable 24x7.


My boss says he doesn't expect a response immediately but then when I don't respond right away he makes a an indirect comment about it.

So it has effected my social life in that I have information at my fingertips and within seconds (EVDO).

[takeshi]

Originally Posted by simonr

Hi, i'm a newcomer to this site and came across it when trying to research whether the emergence of the Blackberry has led people to further merge their social and work life.

That topic's kinda old hat, really. The interesting part is where people's personal life (email, IM, cell calls) ends up encroaching on their personal life (in other words, good old face-to-face), IMO. That seems like it's becoming more commonplace these days.

[Scarlett]

Doesn't bother me but drives my husband crazy. I have a work BB and a personal BB which is also my phone and modem connection when traveling. Every time one of them beeps he tells me "you have a call"! 1) it is not a "call" and 2) if he can hear it so can I! I just pat him on the back and say "it's okay"!

[Donna]

Love the BlackBerries! I work alot so it helps to integrate work and play.

[TechKnowBabble]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry7250/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/177)

I know my bf sometimes gets annoyed that I am constantly checking it. Now that I'm oncall part of the time it's worse.