What do you personally see as the plusses and minuses of modern forms of "instant" communication?

Here’s what prompted the thought. I was on a long hike today in central Florida with my husband. Playing with my new (dearly beloved) iPhone near the beginning, I snapped several pictures of the beautiful shaded river and sent them to my son in SF. Seconds later my phone pinged with his text back. Later on the walk, my husband got a text inviting him to a conference call about a work issue that he wanted to take. I walked on by myself listening to my music. Hearing some bird noises, I turned off the music and walked in silence. Hearing the tapping on a tree near me, I saw a pileated woodpecker only about 10 feet away and was able to watch it for about 5 minutes. So – I was able to share a great moment with my son, husband got to participate in work, but it does all take away from being present in the moment. If I hadn’t stopped the music, I would have missed the bird. Is “instant” communication a pain when you are doing it and “good” when I want to do it. Or does it distract and detract for all of us? Your thoughts. (I feel like daloon now!)