ITGS-Summer Reading: is the advancement of technology leading to social isolation?

bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/does-technology-reduce-social-isolation/

There are many technological devices, as well as social networking sites that allow a smooth communication for people, one that is more efficient and direct, but maybe not as appealing to others at it is with meeting people face-to-face. Although the article in the NY Times states that the communication states that the social isolation rate of America has decreased due to the fact that there are simply too many methods of communicating with one person, I personally find this hard to believe. Of course, with Facebook being one of the most popular social networking sites of all time and the ability to send instant messages through cell phones as well as IM loggers (such as AIM and yahoo! Messenger) have possible decreased the number of times people use face-to-face communication, but it cannot be increasing the rate of social isolation. These were just a few ways of communicating other than actual meet-ups, yet through the use of social networking alone, friends can easily find out what other friends are doing without even asking with a simple click. The technological world is ever expanding however, and if more devices and methods of communication are open, the mere idea of having to have a rendev-vous  with someone would be utterly pointless, simply because of the fact that there will be so many ways of communication.