We are awash with information technologies. They feature in almost every aspect of our lives; from email, Skype and twitter, Facebook, cellphones, iPods, laptops, online banking and shopping, videogames, even GPS in our vehicles, through to virtual learning environments, physical and online simulators and videoconferencing in education and electronic medical records, PACS, PubMed and imaging tools in medicine. Based on our previous experiences, we tend to look at our information technologies as tools, objects separate from ourselves but through which we act on the world. However, the relationship between person and information device is rather more than mechanical. Consider your reactions when you lose your phone or your laptop, particularly without a backup. It is almost like losing a part of yourself, perhaps it is.
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