By Scott Shephard

People of a certain age might look at a scene like this, taken at the Kew Gardens in London, and voice frustration and anger. "Why do they have to be so wrapped up in their electronic devices? Why don't they talk to each other?" they might ask.

I used to feel the same way but then I realized that iPhones and iPads don't shrink one's circles of friends and family. They don't isolate; instead they have an amazing power to expand. Imagine this. . .

The man on the left is posting a photo and comments on his recent experience with his 2000 Twitter followers, who are scattered far beyond London and England and Europe. The woman next to him has a gardening blog with 6,000 loyal readers and is about to post about her visit to the Japanese gardens. The woman with the orange scarf is talking to her mother, who is off on an adventure in Peru. And the woman in the white hat is posting to her 4000 Facebook friends.*

Soon they will put their devices away, find a place for lunch and talk among themselves about what they liked most about the Kew Gardens. How quaint.

Oh, are you wondering how they know each other? They met online. Of course!

Canon 5DIII 1/750s f/4.5 ISO400 100mm

*I invented the story but while it may not be true it is certainly plausible. :-)