Another Score for Anti-technology

I have just suffered yet another puncturing rejection. Yesterday I returned to my warm, sweet, home after a few days out of town with the kiddies. Upon my return I was a little tired and wired as traveling and stepping outside of the comforting routine the kids are used to can be trying. I was greeted by my honey when I got home and the kids were so happy to see daddy they ran for hugs and were energized to romp and play rough, daddy style. I, however, was frazzled and ready for bed. So sleep I did. Today, feeling better, I took on the chores, the kids, the cooking and finally when it was all finished, was looking forward to some kid-free adult interaction with Ron, hoping to catch up a little. After the kids went to bed, Ron was engrossed in an online game of scrabble with his "friends" that are really only virtually friends. Hmmm...I thought playing a game might be relaxing and perhaps give us both a giggle so I asked Ron if he wanted to play with me. After a long pause before he even acknowledged my request (It must have been a really BIG scrabble word he was in the midst of contriving) He replied that he was really too tired to play a game with me, he thought he would just go to bed. So, slightly wounded, I waited-for hime to go to bed that is. 10 minutes later or so he was playing yet another scrabble game. Finally when I asked him for the computer, he gave it up to me and proclaimed he was off to read for a while. Admittedly, I was a little incredulous at the whole situation. The brush off, the failure to show any interest in the real live person in front of him. To me it was such a blaring example of preference for machine over human it took me aback. Are virtual friendships really so much more pleasurable than real ones? Granted, online friendships are easier. One can press a button and access millions of computers (not people) around the world. In addition, the interactions occur at users leisure, one can simply turn the computer off or on at their whim. Computers create ease as well because they allow users to put only their best face forward, which reduces the anxiety of committing certain social faux pas. It also enables us to prevent people from catching on to our worst traits we are most insecure about. However despite its apparent ease, I can't help but think virtual relationships are less satisfying than real ones. I have five senses and a giant rational human brain...So I guess it takes a little more to really turn my crank than a bunch of zeros and ones.