social contact

Came across an article in Wired News talking about future trends in technology. This one blows my mind:

"What's in store? How about mapping programs that show us whether anyone we'd like to see is nearby."

It's like a mobile version of the online chat feature that shows if you are logged on. Instead, your cell phone can say where you are, and anyone you permit to can then check where you are. This is crazy. Never mind being constantly in touch with a cell phone, but soon your friends can also come surprise you. I'm all for being in contact with people. But I also like being able to remove myself from contact with people. Whereas before that meant NOT MAKING a concious effort to contact people, it may soon mean MAKING a concious effort to not be in contact with people. A subtle difference, but something I'm not used to yet.

I'd really like to know more about socialogical studies of how technology is changing the way we interact. The article has a good quote on that, in which they point out that cell phones allow us to meet with friends more often, but then people end up talking on their cell phones while out with their friends. And with Seinfeld no longer on, how are we supposed to know what the proper etiquette is?

Are these new technologies bringing us all closer? or just pissing us all off? Thoughts?